New Delhi, August 14, 2017: August 2017 has given a great opportunity to Indian Holidaymakers to take their long due vacations. Weekend getaways are the ultimate choice for those looking for fun and a much-needed break with family and friends and when the weekend lasts longer than usual it is too tempting an opportunity to miss. 12th – 20th August with Independence Day and Parsi New year falling in the same week combined with planned leaves form the longest weekend. Domestic and short-haul destinations are the top choices of the season for Indians.
Cox & Kings ltd has seen a growth of between 15%-20% in domestic and international bookings. Besides the long weekends, one of the reasons is the delayed onset of monsoon as well that has led many to postpone their travel plans to August.
Online Travel Market Place, Ezeego1.com has also observed a rise of 20% in people travelling specifically to short-haul destinations as compared to the last year same period. Unveiling the top selling destinations, Neelu Singh, CEO and Director, Ezeego1.com said, “Countries with visa-on-arrival such as Thailand, Bali, Mauritius, Maldives and Sri Lanka are in great demand. ” Citing the reasons she added, “No visa hassle, convenience factor, cheap airfare, budget stay options and exquisite culinary offerings for veg travelers have made short haul destinations more appealing.”
“August is not only a month of Indian festivals but also many renowned international ones” says Karan Anand, head, relationships, Cox & Kings. “There are a considerable number of people flying a bit further to witness these. Especially in Europe carnivals, medieval fairs and music fests are lined up for the globetrotters in the next month. Festivals like La Tomatina (Spain), Edinburgh Festival (Scotland), Notting Hill Carnival (London), Salzburg Festival (Austria), Berlin Beer Festival (Germany) are attracting many Indians” he adds.
Sharing insights on Indians taking domestic holidays, Anand explains,” A large number of travelers do not consider monsoon as an off-season anymore. The longer weekends this monsoon combined with season discounts have caused an increase in the number of Indians taking holidays.” Naming the top selling ones, he said, “Goa, Marari (Kerala), Poovar (Kerala), Gopalpur (Odisha), Mandarmani (West Bengal), Pondicherry (Tamil Nadu) are a hit among the domestic travelers.”
As far as the booking goes, most of the customers have booked their flight and stay 2 months in advance as last minute arrangements increase the travel budget by almost 30% as per online travel market place, Ezeego1.com.
Explaining the traveler’s demographics, Singh said ” While a majority of the bookings come from families, we also see a surge in bookings for all women groups, Double Income No Kids (DINKS) and newly married couples. The pristine beauty of Bali and several options of luxury stay, with August being a favourable season, makes our honeymoon package to Bali one of the bestselling products.”
The adventure junkies too are not losing their chance to go on longer excursions according to Karan Anand. Cox & Kings’ Trip 360˚ has launched exclusive adventure trails like Biking Across Ladakh (7D/6N, Departure- Aug 15), Manali to Leh Biking (10D/9N, Departure- Aug 12), Valley of flowers in the heart of Himalayas (6D/5N, Departure- Aug 12) and fascinating Ladakh on cycle (8D/7N, Aug 25) to cater to the adventure lovers.
LONG WEEKEND CHART
| Sr no. | Date & Day | Holidays |
| 1 | Sat-12-Aug | Weekend |
| 2 | Sun-13-Aug | Weekend |
| 3 | Mon-14-Aug | Janmashtami (Restricted Holiday) |
| 4 | Tue-15-Aug | Independence Day (National Holiday) |
| 5 | Wed-16-Aug | Take the day off |
| 6 | Thu-17-Aug | Parsi New Year (Mumbai only) |
| 7 | Fri-18-Aug | Take the day off |
| 8 | Sat-19-Aug | Weekend |
| 9 | Sun-20-Aug | Weekend |
