Mr. S.D. Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel

“The Gandhi Jayanti long weekend is giving travellers an opportunity to plan shorter, more purposeful holidays, with many using the 3-day break and extending it by a few days to focus on a specific experience or interest. We are seeing interest not only from India’s metros but also from regional India’s tier 2 and 3 markets. A growing trend among young professionals is extending their weekend, travelling back home to spend quality time with family. Spiritual tourism is an important part of this trend, with our Darshans portfolio seeing interest from families and travellers seeking well-planned journeys to destinations such as Varanasi, Ayodhya, Ujjain and Tirupati for darshans and spiritual experiences.

At the same time, experiential stays and curated holidays are gaining interest among travellers looking to make a short break more distinctive. For international travel, destinations such as Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia continue to appeal for their combination of culture, leisure and diverse experiences, while Sri Lanka and Bhutan offer proximity and varied holiday experiences. The trend reflects a broader shift towards making shorter holiday windows more meaningful, with travellers prioritizing experiences, discovery and purpose.”

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited

“Gandhi Jayanti falling on Friday presents an opportune 3-day travel window for Indians looking to make the most of the long weekend, with many travellers adding a day of leave to extend it into a 4-day break. We are witnessing increased travel intent for both domestic and closer-to-home destinations. Working professionals, young travellers and families are increasingly opting for destinations that can be comfortably covered within a few days, with Rajasthan, Kerala, the North East, Andamans and other domestic destinations seeing strong interest. Closer international destinations such as Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam are also appealing to travellers looking for a short international getaway. Travellers are also looking beyond conventional hotels towards distinctive stays and experiences, including heritage properties, plantations, wellness retreats, safaris and outdoor activities reflecting the desire to make the most of a short holiday.”