Republic Day Weekend Emerges as Major Travel Window with Massive Search Surges
New data from travel platform Agoda reveals a significant surge in accommodation searches for the Republic Day weekend spanning January 23-26, with figures substantially higher than the previous year. Domestic searches have skyrocketed by an impressive 115% year-on-year, while outbound international searches have also shown strong growth at 63%.
Domestic Destinations Witness Explosive Growth
The coastal paradise of Goa continues to lead domestic search interest, maintaining its position as India's favorite getaway. Following closely, Pondicherry has secured the second spot with an extraordinary 211% year-on-year increase in searches. The heritage city of Udaipur ranks third, demonstrating robust growth of 148% in travel interest.
Beyond the top three destinations, several other locations have shown remarkable momentum. Varkala and Ooty have recorded the highest growth rates among the top ten domestic destinations, with search increases of 188% and 182% respectively. This pattern indicates travelers are seeking diverse experiences from coastal retreats to hill station escapes.
International Getaways Gain Popularity
On the international front, Dubai maintains its position as the most searched destination for Indian travelers during the Republic Day weekend. However, several Asian destinations are showing explosive growth. Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam has emerged as the fastest-growing international getaway, recording an astonishing year-on-year growth in travel interest of over 11 times.
Other Southeast Asian destinations are also witnessing significant interest. Krabi in Thailand has seen 163% growth in searches, while Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam has experienced nearly twofold growth at 99%. This trend suggests Indian travelers are increasingly exploring diverse international options beyond traditional favorites.
Industry Experts Note Changing Travel Patterns
According to Rajnish Kumar, Group Co-CEO of ixigo, there is strong momentum in domestic travel across various categories including leisure, spiritual, and heritage circuits. Flight searches have increased by 30% year-on-year, indicating robust travel planning activity.
"Travellers are making the most of the first long weekend of the year," explains Kumar. "Destinations like Jodhpur, Jammu, Bagdogra, and Dehradun are emerging as popular choices, alongside increased interest in spiritual hubs such as Tirupati, Amritsar, and Varanasi."
Proximity and Flexibility Drive Destination Choices
Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager for South Asia at Booking.com, notes that destinations within driving distance of major cities are particularly popular. "Coastal favourites like Puducherry, Alibaug, and Varkala have seen a surge in search interest, along with heritage and hill escapes such as Udaipur, Jaipur, Varanasi, Ooty, Mahabaleshwar, Munnar, and Lonavala," he shares.
These locations have become preferred choices for travelers seeking convenient getaways that don't require extensive planning or long travel times. The appeal lies in their ability to provide a refreshing break from urban life while maintaining flexibility and convenience.
Strategic Calendar Planning Revolutionizes Travel Habits
A spokesperson from Pickyourtrail explains how the Republic Day weekend has evolved into a key travel window. "Instead of waiting for one long annual break, travellers are increasingly optimising their calendars to take shorter, more frequent trips," they note. "An early-year long weekend like January 26 offers the opportunity to travel without extended leave, making it both practical and appealing."
Dev Karvat, founder and CEO of global assistance and travel insurance provider Asego, highlights the strategic advantages of this holiday period. "It is a fixed national holiday early in the year, when travel budgets are still intact and leave availability tends to be higher," he explains. "This year, with Republic Day falling adjacent to a weekend, travellers also have the flexibility to plan more relaxed and extended itineraries."
Mixed Booking Patterns Reflect Evolving Travel Behavior
Bharatt Malik, Senior Vice President of Air and Hotel Business at Yatra Online, observes interesting booking patterns. "While some travellers plan ahead to secure preferred flights and accommodations, last-minute deals and airline fare sales have also encouraged impromptu trips, particularly among younger travellers," he reveals.
This combination of planned and spontaneous travel indicates a maturing travel market where consumers are becoming more sophisticated in their approach. Malik advises travelers to check flight schedules regularly, plan for extra time at airports, and maintain flexibility in their itineraries to navigate the busy travel period successfully.
The Republic Day travel surge reflects broader changes in how Indians approach holidays, with strategic calendar planning, preference for convenient destinations, and a mix of domestic and international options defining the current travel landscape.
