As the countdown to the August long weekend begins, Indian travellers are eager to pack their bags and set out on exciting mini-adventures. Be it cultural immersion, a quiet vacation or vibrant nightlife, travellers want a mix of experiences while exploring both domestic and international destinations. Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel companies, shares insights on the continued interest of Indians Independence Day (August 15) Raksha Bandhan There will be holidays on (19 August) and Janmashtami (26 August).

Domestic destinations

Taking advantage of long holidays, Indians want a mix of relaxation and exploration. Busy metropolises with Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi continue to be popular choices, as travellers look to head back home to enjoy a long weekend or juggle work and leisure together. For those seeking a change of scenery, holiday destinations within driveable distance such as Lonavala, Ooty, Mahabaleshwar are top of travellers’ minds. Cultural and spiritual attractions such as Udaipur, Jaipur, Varanasi and Puri are also seeing a surge in searches during this time.

• Udaipur
• Lonavala
• Jaipur
• Ooty
• Kodaikanal
• Munnar
• Goa
• Mahabaleshwar
• Varanasi
• Puri

• Bangalore
• Mumbai
• Delhi
• Chennai
• Hyderabad

International migrations

As Indians look for quick vacations, short-haul international destinations are gaining popularity. With visa-friendly policies and enhanced flight connectivity, exploring these destinations has become easier than ever. While Dubai tops the list of most popular international destinations with its luxurious amenities, the charm of South-East Asia is also luring Indians, with places like Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Bali and Phuket making it to their travel bucket list.

• Dubai
• Singapore
• london
• Bangkok
• Kuala Lumpur
• Bali
• paris
• phuket
• Abu Dhabi
• Tokyo

Also read: List of long weekends in August for your travel plans

Santosh Kumar, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia, Booking.com said, “This year’s travel trends data shows that there is a growing interest in short vacations. 65% of Indian travellers are looking for short domestic trips and almost half (44%) of travellers are looking for short international trips for up to 4 nights. The surge in searches for both domestic and short haul destinations during the August long weekends reflects this trend. While popular tourist hotspots continue to remain attractive, we are also seeing growing interest in some destinations such as Hampi, Madikeri, Ujjain and Gokarna. Booking.com is committed to empowering travellers to make the most of their limited time by streamlining the travel experience and providing a wide selection of options to suit their needs and preferences.”

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