 "Hotel bookings in 'suite' spot for Independence Day long weekend")
The Independence Day long weekend is shaping up to be the perfect opportunity for a mid-year escape, according to industry data.
The extended weekend, which begins on Thursday, August 15, and continues through Rakshabandhan on Monday, August 19, spans five days — providing an ideal window for a long getaway.
While airfares have soared on key routes, hotels in popular holiday destinations are seeing a rise in bookings.
According to global online travel agency Cleartrip, the top domestic destinations include Pondicherry, where hotel bookings have spiked by 760 per cent, followed by Udaipur with a 441 per cent increase, and Munnar in Kerala, which has seen a 321 per cent surge.
“So far, over 15,000 air bookings have been made for the long weekend, marking a 37 per cent increase compared to a typical weekend,” said a spokesperson for the platform.
Goa, meanwhile, has witnessed a 166 per cent spike in bookings.
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“With the monsoon season enhancing the charm of travel, long weekends are proving to be the perfect opportunity for travellers to seek quick getaways, and for the industry to capitalise on the heightened demand. At Radisson Hotel Group, we are seeing nearly a 20 per cent surge in demand for resorts and hotels compared to last year, and we expect this trend to accelerate further,” said Nikhil Sharma, managing director (MD) and area senior vice-president — South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group.
For the group, destinations like Kumbhalgarh, Saputara, Pondicherry, Mahabalipuram, Udaipur, Jaipur, and Agra are seeing the most traction from travellers.
“Guests favour a blend of luxury and mid-segment accommodations for their three- to five-day stays. Additionally, our guests are willing to spend 20 per cent more than in previous years on hotels. This increase in bookings across our portfolio is promising,” Sharma added.
The luxurious Fairmont Hotel in Jaipur is offering a long weekend package that includes complimentary drinks and cultural soirées for patrons. The package also offers a 20 per cent discount on various amenities, including food.
Meanwhile, according to travel website ixigo, it’s not just domestic destinations but also nearby international ones that are drawing traveller interest.
“Indians are all geared up for their next getaway during the upcoming long weekend in August, with back-to-back Independence Day and Rakshabandhan holidays. International travel is rising, driven by visa-free entries and affordable fares. Popular spots like Bali, Thailand, Kuwait, and Singapore have seen a 60-70 per cent year-on-year increase in bookings, while new trending short-haul destinations like Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Vietnam are emerging as favoured picks among Indian travellers,” said Aloke Bajpai, chairman, MD, and group chief executive officer, ixigo.