Soaring Festive Travels Redefine Diwali Celebrations

This Diwali season, India is experiencing unprecedented travel trends as traditional celebrations are intertwined with modern luxury escapes and spiritual quests. Data from online travel platforms show robust growth in both domestic and international bookings.

According to Rajesh Magow, co-founder and CEO of MakeMyTrip, visiting friends and relatives remains a significant motivation, with many choosing to celebrate Diwali in metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The festival's early-week occurrence has prompted travelers to commence their journeys by the preceding Friday.

Furthermore, there is a noticeable increase in pilgrimage destinations. International travel sees short-haul hotspots like the UAE and emerging favorites like Vietnam gaining traction. As families extend their vacations from traditional three-day breaks to 6-12 day holidays, popular international spots such as Switzerland and France top the list. Cleartrip and Ixigo employees reported a rise in 5-star hotel bookings, hinting at a growing preference for premium travel experiences.

(With inputs from agencies.)