The New Year travel landscape from Ahmedabad is presenting a mixed bag for holidaymakers. While airfares to most domestic destinations have shown surprising restraint, one popular hotspot is breaking the pattern with a sharp price surge.
Goa Emerges as the Costly Exception
For the crucial travel period between December 31 and January 4 or 5, round-trip air tickets from Ahmedabad to Goa have skyrocketed. Data indicates these fares have jumped by a significant approximately 40% compared to more stable routes. This makes Goa a clear outlier in the domestic market.
Calendar and Caution Calm Domestic Frenzy
Experts point to two main factors moderating prices elsewhere. First, the fact that New Year's Eve falls mid-week has reduced the typical last-minute booking panic. Many travellers have either scaled back grand celebration plans or opted for shorter, more calculated breaks.
Consequently, flights from Ahmedabad to major metros like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru witnessed only marginal increases. This scenario offered a sigh of relief for flyers who booked their tickets closer to the travel dates.
"The recent experience of rampant flight cancellations has made people cautious," explained Ahmedabad-based travel expert Manish Sharma. "Instead of chasing expensive and unreliable flights, many are choosing to stay closer to home. Nearby drivable destinations are filling up fast with families and couples looking for relaxed, year-end escapes."
International Trips Offer Surprising Value
Interestingly, international travel is emerging as a strategic choice for many Gujarati travellers. Destinations like Dubai and Vietnam are attracting strong interest due to their predictable costs, competitive all-inclusive packages, and resort-led celebrations that bundle accommodation, meals, and festivities.
Virendra Shah, former chairman of the Travel Agents' Association of India (TAAI), noted a shift in long-haul travel motives. "A smaller, premium segment is still heading to Europe or distant locales, but strictly for carefully curated itineraries, not spontaneous parties. Others are choosing Bali and Singapore," he said.
Shah also highlighted a trend among Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) travelling from India. "Many NRIs are journeying to the Far East and Middle East, seeking specific experiences rather than just New Year parties. This signals a more intentional and experience-driven approach to long-haul travel during this season," he added.
In summary, the New Year exodus from Ahmedabad is defined by a sharp premium for Goa, a tempered domestic market thanks to a mid-week holiday, a rise in road trips, and a growing appetite for value-packed international experiences over traditional party-centric trips.
