With the GST reform performing as a key driver for mid-scale lodges and mid-market home prospects, making it simpler for travellers to discover lesser-known locations, Hotel Association of India (HAI) President Ok B Kachru stated early developments present increased lodge occupancy, reflecting the thrill of travellers celebrating festivals with household, associates, and leisure getaways.
“Reserving patterns this season spotlight travellers’ desire for comfort, flexibility, and curated experiences. Many lodges are reporting rising curiosity in premium and experiential stays, signalling a shift towards immersive journey that blends leisure, tradition, and wellness,” he stated.
Kachru, who can also be Chairman- South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, additional stated tier-II and rising locations are seeing a notable surge in demand, as travellers search heritage websites, native tradition, and offbeat experiences.
“This demonstrates a broader diversification of journey decisions, with home vacationers shifting past conventional metro cities towards extra significant and memorable journeys,” he famous.
Vikram Dhawan, Chief Technique Officer, Ebix Travels, Delphi World Money Ltd, stated, “With Diwali aligning with a protracted weekend this yr, we’re seeing travellers plan their journeys effectively prematurely to maximise the vacation expertise.” Intercity bus routes are working close to full capability, with occupancy ranges touching 95- 100 per cent and fares rising by 1.5 to three occasions above the norm, indicating robust and predictable demand elasticity throughout this era, he added. Curiously, Dhawan stated the expansion momentum is being pushed by Tier II and Tier III corridors, which now account for almost 62 per cent of whole bookings as folks return to their residence cities for the celebrations.
“In aviation too, the shift in journey patterns is clear, with household and leisure journeys making up nearly 65- 70 per cent of all bookings in comparison with common intervals. This surge is mirrored in lodging, the place we undertaking a 15-20 per cent year-over-year enhance in bookings, with homestays and villas seeing elevated desire from giant household teams,” he added.
This alerts a broader and strong rebound within the festive journey season, Dhawan stated.
Equally, MakeMyTrip Co-founder & Group CEO Rajesh Magow stated visiting associates and relations (VFR) stays the most important driver of festive season journey, as many Indians head again to their residence cities to have fun Diwali.
Of the highest 10 most booked locations, 5 are metros — Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai, he added.
“This yr, with the pageant falling early within the week, many travellers are reserving their journeys as early because the previous Friday to get pleasure from prolonged festivities,” Magow stated.
He additional stated there may be additionally a pattern of rising demand for pilgrimage locations, reflecting how households are combining festive reunions with non secular journeys and out of the highest 10 excessive development cities, 5 — Puri, Haridwar, Ayodhya, Rishikesh and Varanasi — are non secular hubs.
On the leisure entrance, Magow stated Goa leads the pack, with locations resembling Jaipur and Udaipur additionally gaining traction.
“By way of worldwide journey, quick haul locations resembling UAE, Singapore, Thailand and an rising favorite, Vietnam, have grow to be the go-to decisions this festive season for Indians,” he added.
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