Travel services company Thomas Cook reported a 20% increase in travel bookings for the festival season.
Festivals like Holi and Kumbh Mela have boosted the company’s domestic travel business, with demand up by over 12%, it said.
There was a significant rise in the international bookings too, with a growth of more than 20%, it added.
Major international festivals that attracted high demand from the travellers include the water festival/ Songkran in Thailand, the lantern festival in Taiwan, Chinese New Year in Singapore, the Dragon Boat Festival in Hong Kong, the colourful Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Venice, Italy, Mardi Gras festivities in Louisiana, USA, the famed tomato festival/ La Tomatina in Spain, a colourful display of costume and culture – Dia de los Muertos in Mexico, and the Boryeong Mud Festival in Korea.
‘Smart weekend holiday’ concept has emerged as a winner during this festival season. The scheme eyes work-weary-millenials who can take their off on Friday to create an extended weekend from Thursday to Sunday.
There has been a rise of 25% in bookings to weekend destinations, especially Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Bali, Thailand, Sri Lanka and adventure trips to Uttarakhand, Corbett, Kufri, Neemrana, Kolad/Dandeli in Maharashtra, Andamans and Mysore-Coorg, India’s largest brick-and-mortar travel company said.