India is witnessing a massive festive travel wave this week as a five-day long weekend approaches, driven by Onam on August 26 and Raksha Bandhan on August 28. This festive alignment has sparked a sharp surge in flight, hotel, and bus bookings across the country, reflecting a strong desire among travelers to make the most of the holidays.
Kerala Sees Lodging and Bus Demand Jump for Onam
In Kerala, where celebrations for the state's traditional 10-day harvest festival are in full swing, hotel bookings have climbed 69 percent year-over-year according to data from Cleartrip. Bus travel originating from and heading into the state is also experiencing extraordinary demand, registering a triple-digit increase. Ahead of the festivities, domestic air bookings within Kerala have likewise expanded significantly.
Tier-2 Cities in North India Post Strong Gains for Raksha Bandhan
While southern celebrations drive travel down south, Northern India is posting an even sharper surge ahead of Raksha Bandhan, with air bookings to various Tier-2 cities showing remarkable year-over-year growth. Cleartrip data indicates that Lucknow leads the charge with a 96 percent jump in air bookings, closely followed by Bhopal at 86 percent, Indore at 82 percent, Raipur at 75 percent, and Patna at 58 percent.
Long-Weekend Travel Trend and International Hotspots
The rush witnessed during Onam and Raksha Bandhan is part of a broader, growing trend of planned long-weekend travel gaining traction throughout India. Figures from holiday platform Pickyourtrail reveal a 40 percent year-over-year increase in long-weekend bookings, with international destinations such as the Maldives, Bali, Thailand, Singapore, and Sri Lanka remaining firm favorites among vacationers.
Hill Stations and Monsoon Escapes Gain Popularity
Monsoon-friendly and hill destinations have sustained high demand throughout the season, posting impressive growth figures. Hotel bookings in Wayanad surged by more than 160 percent year-over-year, while Alleppey recorded over a 145 percent increase. Popular retreats like Kodaikanal and Ooty each grew by more than 70 percent, driven by travelers seeking scenic hill and coastal environments.
Special State Transport Arrangements for Travelers
With major highways, railway stations, airports, and bus terminals expected to experience heavy footfall over the weekend, several state governments have rolled out special travel arrangements. For instance, the Haryana government announced free bus travel for women across its Roadways services on Raksha Bandhan, enabling millions of travelers to journey home and celebrate with their families.
