Rajasthan Tourism Experiences Significant Surge During Extended Holi Weekend
The extended weekend surrounding the Holi festival ignited a remarkable travel boom across Rajasthan, with major tourist destinations reporting impressive occupancy rates and a noticeable increase in foreign visitor arrivals. Key hubs including Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, and Pushkar witnessed robust foot traffic, marking a powerful commencement to the peak tourism season in the region.
Hotel Occupancy Reaches High Levels Across Popular Destinations
According to industry representatives, hotel occupancy soared beyond 75% in Jaipur and Udaipur, while Pushkar and Jaisalmer recorded approximately 70% bookings. This surge was fueled by a combination of domestic travelers capitalizing on the long weekend and a significant spike in international tourists exploring Rajasthan's cultural richness.
Ranvijay Singh, senior vice-president of the Federation of Rajasthan Hotels, emphasized that festive periods are increasingly becoming magnets for overseas visitors. "Festivals like Holi and Diwali stand out as exceptional occasions for attracting foreign tourists. March features two long weekends, and the bookings for the first fifteen days are exceptionally strong," he stated, adding that advance reservations indicate sustained demand throughout the entire month.
Enhanced Flight Connectivity Drives Tourist Inflow, Especially in Jaisalmer
Industry stakeholders highlighted that foreign tourist arrivals in January and February were particularly robust this year compared to previous seasons. A key factor behind this uptick is improved flight connectivity, which has notably benefited Jaisalmer.
Jitendra Singh Rathore, an industry veteran, explained that Jaisalmer is now connected by air to five major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, which is yielding positive results in terms of higher tourist inflow. "We are hopeful that there will be at least three flights per week during the summer lean season to keep Jaisalmer accessible and maintain the current momentum," he remarked.
The combination of festive allure, strategic long weekends, and enhanced transportation infrastructure has positioned Rajasthan for a thriving tourism period, with expectations of continued growth as the season progresses.
