Stock Report

Festivals are increasingly shaping travel decisions among Indians Regional celebrations emerge as key holiday travel drivers

Posted On : 2026-07-07 19:42:04( TIMEZONE : IST )

Festivals are increasingly shaping travel decisions among Indians, with regional celebrations emerging as key holiday travel drivers. Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India's leading omnichannel travel services company, and its Group Company SOTC Travel, are witnessing travellers increasingly aligning their holidays with Onam in Kerala, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra, Navratri in Gujarat, Durga Puja in Eastern India, Mysore Dasara in Karnataka, Dussehra across North India and Diwali celebrated pan-India. As festivals create opportunities for extended breaks, travellers are combining celebrations with spiritual journeys, cultural immersions, family holidays and international getaways, transforming traditional festive occasions into memorable travel experiences.

The trend is evident across India's key source markets. Travellers from Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are making the most of the Onam holidays, while Chennai and Coimbatore are leveraging the Pongal break to plan vacations. Mumbai and Pune continue to see festive travel around Ganesh Chaturthi, while Ahmedabad and Vadodara are aligning holidays with Navratri celebrations. Kolkata and Bhubaneswar are emerging as key travel hubs during Durga Puja, while Bengaluru and Mysuru are witnessing travellers extending the Mysore Dasara holidays into memorable getaways. Delhi NCR and Jaipur are among the key markets planning holidays around Dussehra, while Diwali continues to inspire travel across metros including Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Hyderabad, as families and friends make the most of the festive break to explore destinations together.

Spiritual and Cultural Experiences Continue to Hold Strong Appeal

For many travellers, festivals remain deeply connected to faith and tradition. Destinations such as Vrindavan and Mathura witness heightened interest during Janmashtami, offering visitors the opportunity to experience celebrations through temple rituals, devotional music and cultural performances. Kolkata continues to attract travellers during Durga Puja, when the city transforms into a vibrant showcase of art, culture and community spirit. From elaborate pandals and street food to cultural performances and heritage walks, the festival has evolved into one of India's biggest tourism attractions. Varanasi also sees increased interest during Diwali and Dev Deepawali, while Mysuru draws visitors from across the country for its iconic Dasara celebrations. Increasingly, travellers are choosing to experience festivals at their cultural heart, making domestic travel an integral part of festive celebrations.

International Holidays Gain Momentum During Festive Breaks

While domestic destinations remain popular, festive holidays are increasingly serving as a launchpad for international travel. As an extension of celebrations, many travellers are using festival breaks to undertake short- and mid-haul overseas holidays.

While Europe continues to be a preferred choice among aspirational travellers seeking culture, history and scenic landscapes, particularly during the autumn season, Southeast Asia is witnessing strong demand from families and first-time international travellers. Destinations such as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia continue to perform strongly for their blend of leisure, culture, family-friendly attractions and easy accessibility.

Travellers seeking immersive long-haul experiences are also showing growing interest in Japan, China, Egypt, South Africa and the UAE, drawn by unique cultural experiences, natural landscapes and curated itineraries that offer deeper connections with each destination.

Experience-Led Travel Takes Centre Stage

One of the defining characteristics of festive travel today is the shift towards experience-led holidays. Travellers are increasingly prioritizing meaningful activities over traditional sightseeing. Whether it's participating in a tea ceremony in Japan, witnessing cultural performances in Bali, cruising through Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, exploring ancient wonders in Egypt or discovering local traditions across Europe, travellers are seeking experiences that deepen their connection with a destination. This growing preference reflects a broader evolution in travel behavior, where holidays are increasingly measured by memorable moments rather than the number of attractions visited.

Multi-Generational Travel on the Rise

Another notable trend is the rise of multi-generational travel during festive periods. Parents, children and grandparents are increasingly travelling together, making festivals an ideal occasion for family reunions beyond the home. Destinations such as Singapore and Malaysia, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Bali, Japan and Europe continue to perform strongly among family groups due to their combination of accessibility, comfort and experiences suitable for different age groups. This trend is also contributing to longer trip durations, as families seek to maximize holiday periods and spend meaningful time together.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head - Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, said, "Festivals have become one of the strongest drivers of holiday planning for Indian travellers, with regional celebrations increasingly influencing when and where people choose to travel. We are witnessing strong demand across key source markets from Onam in Kerala and Pongal in Tamil Nadu to Durga Puja in Eastern India, Dussehra across Karnataka and North India, and Diwali celebrated across the country. Travellers are leveraging these festive windows to explore destinations that offer meaningful experiences, whether through spiritual journeys within India, family holidays in Southeast Asia, autumn escapes to Europe or immersive longhaul vacations. The growing popularity of multi-generational travel further highlights how holidays are becoming an integral part of modern festive celebrations."

Mr. SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head - Holidays & Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel, said, "Festivals are no longer just occasions to return home, they are increasingly becoming opportunities to celebrate in new places and create new traditions with loved ones. Today's travellers are looking beyond conventional holidays, choosing experiences that are immersive, enriching and memorable, whether it's discovering local cultures and cuisines, embarking on spiritual journeys, enjoying scenic rail holidays, witnessing wildlife on an African safari or cruising through spectacular landscapes. Festive travel today is less about where people go and more about the memories they create together, making every celebration a journey in itself."

Shares of Thomas Cook (India) Limited was last trading in BSE at Rs. 106.55 as compared to the previous close of Rs. 106.80. The total number of shares traded during the day was 80173 in over 492 trades.

The stock hit an intraday high of Rs. 108.50 and intraday low of 105.60. The net turnover during the day was Rs. 8596058.00.