With Holi and Good Friday just a shortened midweek apart this March, travel bugs in this country have the ideal opportunity to enjoy an extended break. Digital travel platform Agoda analysed its search data and found Dubai as the favourite international travel spot. Domestically, Goa is the most popular destination searched for Holi and Good Friday.
With Holi happening on Monday (March 25) and Good Friday the same week on Friday (March 29), we can take advantage of the shorter workweek and enjoy extended leisure time without the need to use up a big chunk of annual leave.
For those planning an international getaway, Dubai is the most popular destination, with Singapore coming in second spot. Thailand’s visa waiver policy likely helps it secure two of the top five most popular spots for travel, with Bangkok at number three and Phuket at fifth. Bali (Indonesia) is the fourth-most popular international destination for the Holi and Good Friday break.
According to domestic search data sourced from Agoda, Goa continues to be a recurring favorite, drawing tourists in with its immaculate beaches, exciting nightlife, and unique cultural appeal. It’s the perfect destination for anyone looking for a fun Good Friday and Holi getaway. Following Goa is Mumbai, the vibrant city of dreams, which offers travellers an incredible experience, complete with mouthwatering street cuisine, iconic monuments and the adrenaline rush of the fast-paced metropolis.
Heading to the North of India, the ‘City of Lakes,’ Udaipur, is one of the top destinations Indians are keen to visit over the long weekends. The city offers a serene escape for those looking to immerse themselves in history and the architectural marvels of the city. Delhi NCR and Jaipur also emerge as popular domestic destinations (fourth- and fifth-most popular, respectively), both known for their lively markets, vibrant streets and architectural wonders that attract travellers looking for a combination of urban excitement and cultural exploration.
Top 5 searched destinations for Holi & Good Friday
Heading to the North of India, the ‘City of Lakes,’ Udaipur, is one of the top destinations Indians are keen to visit over the long weekends. The city offers a serene escape for those looking to immerse themselves in history and the architectural marvels of the city. Delhi NCR and Jaipur also emerge as popular domestic destinations, (fourth and fifth most popular respectively), both known for their lively markets, vibrant streets and architectural wonders that attract travellers looking for a combination of urban excitement and cultural exploration.
Ideal travel spots for a much-needed detoxing fervour
While Goa remains as a charming vacay spot, the ‘city of dreams’ Mumbai has emerged as the 2nd most preferred destination for travel. The cities are followed by the ‘city of lakes’ Udaipur, national capital New Delhi (and NCR) and the ‘pink city’ Jaipur — with travellers thronging to these vacation spots all year-round.
Senior Country Director India Subcontinent and Maldives at Agoda, Krishna Rathi, expressed, “The consecutive long weekends for Holi and Good Friday provide a unique window for Indians to plan extended trips… It’s a great opportunity to whet the travel appetite among Indians, which has only increased since the recent waiver of visa requirements.”
With Holi falling on Monday (March 25) and Good Friday the same week on March 29, it’s time you go to your office calendars and apply for leaves to indulge in a much-needed detoxing fervour!
International Travel Trends
Nearby international destinations such as Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Bali, and Hanoi are becoming increasingly favored by travelers during this time.
Top 10 Most Sought-After International Destinations for Indians Traveling Abroad from March 23-31, 2024:
- Dubai
- Singapore
- Bangkok
- Makkah (Saudi Arabia)
- London
- Paris
- Kuala Lumpur
- Bali
- Tokyo
- Hanoi
Travel Companies Report Great Insights For Holi & Good Friday Long Weekends
With every passing day, the bookings are seeing a surge. From flight tickets to hotels and properties, travellers from all around India are excited to make the best use of these weekends and explore the serenity of different destinations across the country. Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip revealed how there has been a significant demand and rise in leisure bookings during these breaks.
As always, most tourists’ favourite destination, Goa tops as the premier domestic flight destination, according to a Press Release. This list also includes scenic touristy places such as Srinagar, Guwahati, Port Blair, and Bagdogra. Some of India’s most popular destinations such as Jaipur, Udaipur, Puri, and Varanasi are seeing the highest hotel bookings, followed by Goa.
Spiritual travel is witnessing significant growth as well. From people showing interest in celebrating Holi in holy places to exploring India’s most splendid religious places, both flight and hotel bookings have increased by a huge extent. According to MakeMyTrip, hotel bookings for Amritsar, Puri, and Varanasi have jumped to twice the numbers of 2023. Rajeev Kale, the Thomas Cook spokesperson, shared about the rise in spiritual travel demands in Barsana, Nandgaon, Mathura, Ayodhya, Char Dham, Gokul, and more.