Segments like multigenerational families, Gen Z, millennials/young professional, groups of friends and DINKs are driving demand.
Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) Limited says, “Long weekends offer a much needed opportunity to take a mini-cation and escape the pressures of work and rising temperatures. With consecutive extended weekends in April, starting with Mahavir Jayanti and Maundy Thursday, Indian travellers are maximising the extended weekend: we are witnessing brisk demand of over 3x compared to previous long weekends of 2023.
Our demand trends indicate an uptick for destinations like Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Leh, North East, Kerala, Goa and Andamans – for domestic travel, and South East Asia’s Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia; also Maldives, Mauritius, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al-Khaimah – for international travel. New emerging destinations peaking customer interest are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Vietnam and Cambodia.
What is noteworthy is that we are witnessing growing demand for active holidays from India’s Gen Z and millennials with preference for activites like yachting, kite-sailing, scuba diving, camping, trekking; biking trips to scenic terrains; safari drives and jungle experiences. Also drivecations to nearby hillstations like Nainital, Dehradun, Mussoorie, Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar, Coorg, Ooty, Munnar, Wayanad and similar.
Additionally, customers are displaying high interest for unique accommodations like private villas, havelis, tea estates/coffee plantations, tree tops, heritage stays, palaces, forts or in the heart of a desert or bamboo grove; also, wellness retreats/getaways.”
Daniel D’Souza, President & Country Head – Holidays, SOTC Travel comments, “Customers are keen to utilize the upcoming extended weekend and our booking trends reiterate the same; we are witnessing a strong surge in demand for the extended Easter long weekend – an uptick of 2x compared to previous weekends in 2023.
Segments like multigenerational families, Gen Z, millennials/young professional, groups of friends and DINKs are driving demand. Customers are preferring to travel to the cooler climes of Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Leh-Ladakh and the North East. Goa and Andaman continue to be a favourite beach destination. Our data indicates high uptick for outdoor and adventure travel with biking trips and domestic cruises witnessing spike in customer interest; Pench, Kanha, Corbett, Ranthambore are leading customer safari favourites.
Spiritual Tourism is on the upswing with Char Dham and Do Dham leading customer preferences. Also, hidden gems like Netrani islands – a heart shaped island located in the Arabian Sea, Damro – longest enchanted hanging bridge in Arunachal Pradesh, and Vantawng falls – the highest and most spectacular waterfalls in Mizoram.
Our internal data also indicates high interest for closer to home/visa on arrival/easy and quick visa destinations like Singapore, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Ras Al Khaimah, Thailand, Indonesia, Maldives, Mauritius, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Seychelles; also Bhutan from the Indian subcontinent.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
