Hospitality industry is bracing for a higher demand from travellers ahead of the long weekend due to Holi and Good Friday in March. Hotels across top leisure destinations like Goa, Jaipur, Srinagar, Guwahati, Port Blair, among others are reporting surge in room bookings and consequent rise in average room rates (ARRs) which saw an uptick ranging from 10-20 per cent higher than usual. Tejus Jose, Director of Operations, ibis and ibis Styles India, said, “As leisure destinations like Goa and Jaipur experience a surge in demand over the long weekend, there’s a noticeable uptick in ARRs ranging from 10-20 per cent higher than usual. This increase in ARRs reflects the heightened demand for accommodation in these sought-after tourist spots, driven by travelers seeking to unwind and explore during their leisure time.”
Akash Gupta, General Manager, Mayfair Spring Valley, Guwahati, said, “March will be a key month for the individual travellers and family travellers ahead of school exams and the long weekend of Holi festival. Hot holiday destinations and branded hotels shall advance their ARRs due to increasing demand of individual travellers and long Holi weekend ahead.”
Hemant Tenneti, Cluster General Manager for The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake & Lakeside Chalet, Mumbai – Marriott Executive Apartments, said, “As excitement builds for the upcoming long weekend in March, the hospitality industry, including The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake, is anticipating a notable surge in demand. This heightened demand may prompt adjustments in Average Room Rates (ARRs) to reflect market dynamics and meet the needs of travellers.”
While the hotels and resorts are capitalizing on the demand surge by adjusting their pricing strategies accordingly, Tejus Jose said, “This trend highlights the importance for businesses in the hospitality sector to monitor market dynamics closely and adapt their pricing strategies to capitalize on fluctuating demand patterns, ultimately maximizing revenue potential during peak periods. Needless to mention, the industry has to remain cognizant of its pricing versus services and products offered to ensure they are not out of range.”
Skyrocketing airfares
Airfares too are shooting skywards for the upcoming long weekend with travel agencies saying that the end of the school and college exam season, and start of summer holidays is inducing holidaymakers to combine the two long weekends for a week-long escape. Prahlad Krishnamurthi, Chief Business Officer, Cleartrip, said that domestic flights average fares are trending around Rs 5400 and the international flights average fare are around Rs 13,000. The average bus fares, meanwhile, are trending around Rs 950 and average hotel fares are around Rs 5800. Per the data released by Cleartrip, domestic flights have reported 16 per cent higher bookings in comparison to 2023 and international flight bookings are up 50 per cent as against the previous year. Per the data shared by ixigo, domestic fares for popular routes shot up 25-30 per cent in the last week of March and international travel is also picking up with Dubai, Singapore, Bali and Bangkok emerging as favourites this Holi.
Popular travel destinations this Holi
According to Cleartrip, while top domestic destinations for this Holi include Goa, Bagdogra, Srinagar, Port Blair and Varanasi, top international destinations include Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur.
Furthermore, travellers now are looking for premium stays with a rising number of leisure travellers going for the premium segment. Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip, said, “As we approach the long weekends of Holi and Good Friday, we’re seeing a significant uptick in leisure bookings. Goa remains the premier domestic flight destination, followed by Srinagar, Guwahati, Port Blair, and Bagdogra. Udaipur and Jaipur in Rajasthan, as well as Puri and Varanasi, are witnessing the highest hotel bookings after Goa. Srinagar, Katra, Coorg, and Ooty are also emerging as popular destinations, exhibiting significant year-on-year growth. While mid-category rooms remain the most booked, the share of premium bookings is higher than usual by close to 10 per cent”
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“Internationally, short-haul favourites include UAE, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, while top long-haul destinations are the UK, USA, Australia, Japan, and Germany. We’re also seeing emerging popularity for destinations like Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and South Korea during this period.”
“Hotel bookings for religious destinations such as Puri, Varanasi, and Amritsar have doubled since last year, emerging as the second most preferred category after beaches. Similarly, in terms of flight bookings, Amritsar, Prayagraj, and Bhubaneshwar show a growth of about 20 per cent as compared to last year,” Rajesh Magow added.
Sourav Panchanan, General Manager, Caravela Beach Resort, South Goa, said, “Among the preferred leisure destinations, the serene beaches of South Goa continue to captivate the imagination of travelers for a quick getaway and a relaxing staycation. We are experiencing a surge in enquiries with 92 per cent confirmed bookings for the upcoming long weekend.”
A happy Holi for the industry
Hotels across the country are experiencing a surge in demand and are capitalizing on the same with the best of offerings and services. Varun Bharadwaja, Director of Sales & Marketing, St Regis Goa Resort, said, “The extended weekend for Holi has seen a significant surge in room bookings. There has been a notable upswing in bookings at our resort and most queries are coming from families and leisure guests. Especially because it also happens to be a school break for children. Notably, guests are enquiring about our suites and villas and there has also been an interest in our resort experiences.”
Souvik Bhattacharya, General Manager, Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa, said, “As the second half of March approaches, the hospitality industry is gearing up for a surge in demand fuelled by the convergence of two vibrant cultural celebrations: Holi and Easter. With travellers eager to partake in festivities and enjoy extended leisure time, hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals are preparing to welcome guests with tailored experiences and enhanced services.”
Karaan Kapoor, General Manager, Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa, said, “Recognizing the potential influx of travellers seeking to participate in these joyous occasions, hospitality businesses are proactively adjusting their offerings to cater to diverse cultural and religious preferences.”
Himadri Ray, General Manager, The Yellow House, Anjuna IHCL SeleQtions, said, “As travellers seek memorable and meaningful experiences during the long weekends in March, the hospitality industry is poised to meet and exceed their expectations by offering a diverse array of offerings that capture the essence of Holi and Easter while providing unparalleled comfort, convenience, and hospitality. By embracing cultural diversity, promoting wellness, and leveraging technology, hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals are ready to welcome guests and create unforgettable moments that celebrate the spirit of these joyous occasions.”