Spends on travel during festive times witnessing 10-15% growth YoY: Experts

Images of overcrowded railways stations have been dominating news channels recently as a huge population gets homeward bound for the annual Chhath Puja. Festive time is also travel time as people away from their homes return to their roots, or those looking to escape their daily routine, head to more scenic places with better climate and a green environment.

Diwali brings families together no matter which part of the world they might be in. Towards the year-end people look for more excitement and fun activities to ring in the New Year. Hence, both domestic and global travel are high on people’s agenda.

Brands have long recognised the emotional value of reuniting during the festive season, rolling out campaigns to bridge the distance. This year, Cadbury Celebrations introduced its #CadburyCelebrationsConfirmedTicket campaign in partnership with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The campaign aimed to ease the journey home, promising that getting back to loved ones should be as joyful as the festival itself.

To gain more insights into current travel trends, especially during the festive period, Adgully reached out to prominent travel service providers in India. Here’s what some industry leaders had to share...

Sabina Chopra, Co-Founder & COO, Yatra Online, informed, “Our campaign, ‘Yatra of Celebrations’, celebrates the festive spirit through themes like ‘Festival Hai, Saath Mein Manao’ and ‘Festival Hai, Dekhne Toh Jao,’ focusing on the trend of exploring regional festivals like Durga Puja in Bengal or Ganesh Puja in Maharashtra. Post-COVID, we’ve observed a rise in short-haul, visa-friendly travel during this period, with discounts of up to 60% on flights, hotels, and holiday packages.”

Rajesh Magow, Co-founder & Group CEO, MakeMyTrip, pointed out, “Travel demand is robust not only to metro destinations like Delhi and Mumbai but also to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities such as Jaipur, Varanasi, and Guwahati. Internationally, short-haul destinations like Thailand, the UAE, and Singapore lead the way, as travelers seek both domestic and international leisure options this festive season.”

Changing Consumer Behaviour and Travel Preferences Post-COVID

SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head - Holidays and Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel, noted, “The pandemic reshaped traveler perceptions, sparking demand for unique experiences and affordable luxury. Many customers are willing to pay a premium for upscale accommodations, including palaces, chateaus, and luxury resorts in destinations like France, Switzerland, and South Korea. Additionally, cruise holidays, such as luxury polar cruises and Caribbean cruises, are on the rise.”

He added, “Spiritual tourism, traditionally popular with senior citizens, now attracts multigenerational families and Young India’s millennials and Gen Z. Our Spiritual Journeys products have expanded from traditional pilgrimages to immersive experiences, like night trekking in Vaishno Devi and white-water rafting in Rishikesh. We also see rising interest in emerging destinations like Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan. Reduced visa restrictions and new visa schemes make travel more accessible, especially to countries with easy visa processing or e-visa options, such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Dubai.”

Tavleen Bhatia, CMO, Cleartrip, added here, “Our ‘Life Mat Jhelo’ campaign caters to the heightened travel demand with discounts and special deals. We’re offering 5-star hotel stays from Rs 2,499, flash sale discounts on domestic flights starting at Rs 999, and international flights from Rs 5,999. For families, we’re introducing a ‘Child flies free’ offer, and for budget-conscious travelers, our holiday packages start at Rs 9,999 for popular destinations like Bali, Dubai, and the Maldives.”

Travel Spend Trends

Bhatia said, “Our data shows that families are increasingly traveling internationally, with a 102% growth rate. Budget travelers are also on the rise, making up 84% of our customer base – a clear indication that cost-effective travel options are still highly sought after.”

Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Thomas Cook (India), noted, “Festivals have become a key motivator for travel, with many opting for unique experiences like vineyard tours in Europe or the Northern Lights. Compared to pre-pandemic levels, we’ve seen a 20-30% increase in holiday budgets. Experiential travel, particularly in destinations like Switzerland, Dubai, and Kerala, is in high demand.”

According to Sabina Chopra of Yatra Online, year-over-year spending has risen by about 10-15%, showing that consumers are willing to invest more in meaningful travel experiences during this period.

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