“All our 170 homes are sold out for Diwali and I got a bit late looking up,” Parulekar told ET. “So many people called at the last minute. While some travellers feel the need to head out on Diwali holidays, this year, the pattern is a little exaggerated… A lot more families are moving out for Diwali.”
Travel platforms, homestay brands, hotels and resorts have all witnessed a dramatic spike in demand this week, indicating a shift in consumer behaviour with the pandemic bringing about ‘strong’ reality checks.
This Dhanteras and Diwali, instead of the traditional spends on jewellery, scores of customers are veering towards investing in their love for travel and are filling their bucket lists of experiences, said Romil Pant, senior vice president, leisure travel, at Thomas Cook (India).
“The list includes eclectic stays in the middle of a desert, a bamboo grove or jungle-lodges, tree houses and forts with must-see hidden gems being in high demand like the living-roots bridge or canoeing on Dawki lake’s crystal clear waters,” he said.
“We have booked uber luxury spa-wellness retreats at top-of-the-line resorts in the Himalayas, extended ayurvedic treatments at opulent properties amidst Kerala’s backwaters with pricing being no bar at approximately Rs 40,000 per room per night,” Pant said.
With a lot of people now fully vaccinated, they feel free to move around, industry insiders said.
On ixigo, beach destinations are a favourite pick. “We have seen an increase of 55-60% in search queries for beach destinations like Goa and Andamans for travel in the first week of November,” the company said. Jaipur, Goa, Andamans and Leh have seen a 15%, 55%, 72% and 81% increase, respectively, in search queries for Diwali this year versus 2020, it said.
Several people are choosing drivable destinations. “With international not having started fully, nearby locations are booming,” said Jimmy Mistry, founder of Della Group that runs Della Resorts in Lonavla. The resort is almost sold out for this week, he said.
An ITC Hotels executive said people are stepping out with families for celebrations this year and ITC Welcom hotels, properties in Chail, Pahalgam, Mussoorie, Jaipur, and the ITC Grand Bharat in Gurugram are witnessing very good occupancies.
