Republic Day Weekend Triggers Modest Leisure Travel Uptick in Ahmedabad
The Republic Day long weekend brought a modest but noticeable increase in leisure travel from Ahmedabad, according to industry reports. While airfares remained broadly stable overall, last-minute bookings proved significantly more expensive, particularly on popular routes.
Airfare Trends and Popular Destinations
Travel portals indicated that average return fares for direct flights from Ahmedabad during the weekend period stood at approximately:
- Goa: Around Rs 20,500
- Mumbai: Approximately Rs 13,800
- Delhi: Roughly Rs 15,300
- Chandigarh: About Rs 18,000
- Bengaluru: Close to Rs 17,000
- Pune: Nearly Rs 22,000
"While there wasn't a dramatic surge in airfares, travellers booking closer to departure paid a premium," observed Ankit Bajaj, a travel industry expert. "Demand is being driven more by spontaneous, short-duration breaks rather than carefully planned holidays."
Hotel Occupancy and Regional Tourism Impact
Across Gujarat, hotels reported high occupancy levels, especially in leisure destinations such as Gir, Polo Forest, Daman and Diu, and Saputara. A positive spillover effect was also visible in nearby tourist hubs beyond the state borders, including Udaipur, Mount Abu, Banswara, and Jawai.
Changing Travel Patterns and Preferences
Travel patterns during this period revealed a strong preference for road travel, with many families and small groups opting for drivable destinations over flights. Another significant trend noted was migrant professionals working in Gujarat traveling back to their home cities for the extended weekend.
"Only a small segment of travellers chose to club additional leave days, stretching the break to 5 or 6 days and heading towards hill destinations in Himachal Pradesh. Such extended plans are still limited in number," explained Virendra Shah, former chairperson of the Travel Agents' Association of India (TAAI) Gujarat chapter.
Consistent Favorites and Emerging Trends
Goa continued to be a perennial favorite among travelers from Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru also saw steady interest, with many travelers using these urban centers as bases to explore nearby getaways.
The overall travel scenario during the Republic Day weekend reflected a cautious yet active leisure market, characterized by spontaneous decisions, preference for shorter breaks, and a mix of traditional and emerging destination choices.
