Travel enthusiasm among Indians is reaching new heights, with Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., a premier omnichannel travel service provider, and its subsidiary, SOTC Travel, reporting a remarkable rise in the demand for short getaways and extended weekend trips. The forthcoming Holi festival presents a perfect occasion for travelers to combine two long weekends into a nine-day holiday by taking just three days off, resulting in an almost fivefold increase in bookings for the Holi weekend compared to the previous year.

Holi Travel Insights:

• Cultural Immersion: This Holi, travelers are not only exploring temples but also venturing to destinations significant to Lord Krishna’s life, such as Brij Bhoomi, Huranga, Nandgaon, and Barsana. These places are known for their unique celebrations, including ‘Lathmar’ festivities, the vibrant ‘Ladoo Mar’ event at the Radharani Temple, and spiritual ceremonies at Vrindavan’s Banke Bihari Temple.
• Gastronomy: The festival is a treat for food lovers, offering the chance to savor local specialties like mathura ka peda, makhan mishri, and a variety of Holi-specific treats such as thandai and gujiya.
• Drivecations: There’s a noticeable 25% increase in trips to destinations within driving distance, now extending stays from the usual 3-4 days to 5-7 days. Regions around Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu are seeing a preference for local retreats such as Naukuchiatal, Munsiyari, Kangra, and coastal destinations like Gokarna and Puducherry.
• Adventure Travel: Adventure and outdoor activities are on the rise, with a 30% increase in interest for activities like biking across Srinagar-Leh-Manali, white water rafting in Rishikesh, paragliding in the Northeast, and trekking in locations such as Sikkim and Mcleodganj.
• Short Haul Growth: The ease of visa-free access has boosted interest in short-haul international destinations like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Mauritius, and Malaysia by 30%. Simplified visa procedures are also making Singapore, Indonesia, and the UAE more attractive.
• Direct Flights: The convenience of direct flights has led to a surge in travel to cities like Baku and Vietnam, encouraging spontaneous travel decisions.
• Increased Spending: Spending on Holi travel is up by 25% from last year, reflecting the growing enthusiasm and economic confidence among Indian travelers.
• Affordable Airfares: Air travel is becoming more accessible with a 6-10% decrease in domestic airfares and around a 5% drop for flights to destinations like Kathmandu and Colombo, further encouraging air travel.
• Domestic Travel Preference: This Holi, domestic destinations are more popular than ever, accounting for 70% of travel plans compared to international trips at 30%.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “With Holi falling on a Monday and Good Friday in the same week, customers are taking 3 days off to avail a week long holiday to explore their favourite locales across India. Our trends indicate that customers are maximising this opportunity to take an extended break – be it a spiritual getaway, an outdoor/adventure trip, self-drives or a tranquil getaway in the hills/beaches. This year, we are witnessing a significant demand uptick of 5x vs last year and increased spends of 25%; more so given the longer duration of two weekends. In addition to celebrating Holi, our segments across Young India, families, and ad-hoc groups of friends are looking to explore destinations within the country; also shirt haul international options.”

Mr. Daniel D’souza, President & Country Head, SOTC Travel said, “The upcoming Holi week combined with the subsequent Easter weekend offers strong potential for a week long vacation, and our data indicates surge from  not only from metros and mini-metros, but also our Regional tier 2 and 3 cities. What is noteworthy is that we are seeing a surge in air-inclusive holidays fuelled by the dip in airfares over the extended week/weekend; drivecations too are seeing a brisk business.”

The post Thomas Cook & SOTC unveil: Holi 2024 marks a new era for Indian travel enthusiasts appeared first on Travel And Tour World.



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