With Independence Day on the horizon, the excitement of a long weekend has sparked a surge in travel interest among Indian holidaymakers. OYO and Radisson Hotel Group, two prominent names in the hospitality industry, and MakeMyTrip, a leading online travel platform, have shared insights into the emerging trends that are shaping this year’s extended break.
OYO Witnesses Travel Frenzy: Beaches and Beyond
A spokesperson of OYO comments, “OYO is observing a notable surge in travel demand ahead of the Independence Day long weekend. Beach destinations have taken the spotlight with Goa emerging as the top choice, followed Digha, Pondicherry, Kochi, and Visakhapatnam.
Interestingly, a shift is unfolding in the realm of hill station preferences this weekend. Instead of the typical inclination toward Northern hill stations, travellers are preferring their Southern counterparts. Ooty has emerged as the top hill station followed by Chikmagalur, Mahabaleshwar, Munnar, and Wayanad. Not only are these places stunning during monsoon, but also relatively safer for travel during the rainy season.
Within the context of spiritual and religious exploration, we’ve observed an inclination towards destinations like Puri, Varanasi, Shirdi, Tirupati, and Amritsar. These places have garnered attention as individuals seek meaningful experiences during the long weekend.
These travel trends encapsulate the evolving preferences of modern explorers as they embrace the long weekend as an opportunity to explore the diverse tapestry of our nation. As we approach this Independence Day, the story is not only about celebrating freedom but also about the freedom to embark on journeys that enrich the soul and broaden horizons.”
MakeMyTrip’s Insights: A Blend of Adventure and Relaxation
Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, sheds light on the travel trend landscape from their platform’s perspective. He says, “The trend of Indian travellers capitalizing on opportunities to plan short trips throughout the year continues.
For the Independence Day weekend this year, we have seen a 30% uptick in individuals booking flights within seven days of the scheduled departure as compared to the same weekend in 2022. This means the travellers are looking beyond price and tariff considerations when planning for their short breaks. This is further bolstered by a 22% increase in bookings for premium and luxury properties for the duration compared to the same period last year. This also points to the propensity towards rest and relaxation as the primary trigger for the upcoming Independence Day weekend. As of date, bookings for homestays and villas for this weekend have also doubled as compared to last year.
The top domestic destinations for people booking flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore are Goa and Srinagar, while people from southern metros like Bangalore and Hyderabad have demonstrated a preference for Cochin, Vishakhapatnam, and Coimbatore. Per data on the platform, the top destinations, barring metros, from a hotel reservation point of view, include Goa, Udaipur, Jaipur, Wayanad, Puri, Ooty, Coorg, Pondicherry, Mahabaleshwar, Munnar, and Varanasi.
For our packages product, we have observed an increased salience for international destinations, likely supported by a longer window, with August 15 coming on a Tuesday compared to Monday last year. Thailand, Europe, Bali, Dubai, Maldives, and Singapore top the international destination list.”
Radisson Hotel Group’s Perspective
Zubin Saxena, Managing Director & Area Senior Vice President – South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, adds to the discourse. He comments, “The long weekend trend has been growing over the past few years as it makes a great opportunity for people looking for quick and short respite to break the monotony.” Saxena highlights a double-digit increase in booking inquiries, reflecting an upward trend in travel demand. He notes a preference for luxury and upscale accommodations, in line with the burgeoning luxury travel trend. Anticipating last-minute bookings for drivable destinations from metros, he pinpoints Western and Southern India’s key locations like Lonavala, Mamallapuram, Chennai, and Goa as experiencing strong demand trends for the impending weekend.
As the countdown to Independence Day begins, these multifaceted insights offer a glimpse into the evolving travel landscape, showcasing how individuals are making the most of their long weekend breaks to savor enriching experiences.
