With hotel and flight fares increasing, Gujarati holidaymakers are opting for off-peak trips to avoid the higher costs.
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Kerala, India Ahmedabad: Soaring airfares and rising holiday package costs are prompting many travellers to plan vacations before or after Diwali rather than during the festive week. Travel agents say advance bookings and off-peak travel dates are gaining preference this year, while some people are opting to stay home to avoid high costs and overcrowded destinations.“Usually, we travel somewhere for a short break during Diwali. This time, we have decided to stay put,” said Anand D, an Ahmedabad-based professional. “We want to avoid the crowds and relax within the city.
There is little point driving through traffic to packed holiday destinations after spending heavily on hotels and airfares.”According to travel agents, demand for travel during Diwali week has fallen by nearly 30% compared to last year. Rising airfare and package prices are encouraging travellers to shift their plans to periods before and after the festival.Those who planned early have booked trips to destinations such as the North-East, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Goa.
Kerala continues to attract tourists, though bookings are lower than in previous years because of the warmer weather, said Ankit Bajaj, a city-based travel operator.With flight fares remaining steep, many travellers are choosing road trips instead. However, accommodation costs at popular destinations have also surged. Bajaj said three-star hotels in Udaipur, Jaipur, Mount Abu, Goa, Jodhpur and Kumbhalgarh are charging up to three times their usual tariffs during the Nov 7-15 period.
These destinations remain favourites among travellers looking for short-notice getaways.Tigers Nest Monastery also know as Taktsang Palphug Monastery. Located in the cliffside of the upper Paro valley, in Bhutan.International destinations such as South-East Asia, Dubai, Sri Lanka and Bhutan continue to draw interest. Europe traditionally attracts fewer Gujarati travellers during Diwali, with most preferring summer holidays, although a limited number have booked trips there this festive season.
Travel agents said there have been no significant cancellations linked to unrest and protests in countries such as France, Italy and Spain.Travel quotesTravel companies say holiday package rates have risen sharply, further straining travel budgets.“Per-person package costs are now approaching airfare prices, substantially increasing the overall cost of travel.
As a result, demand during Diwali week has softened, with more travellers choosing to vacation before or after the festive rush,” said Jigar Dudakiya, a city-based travel operator.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Ahmedabad | Silver Rate in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Petrol Price in Ahmedabad | Diesel Price in Ahmedabad | CNG Price in Ahmedabad | LPG Price in AhmedabadStay updated with the latest Ahmedabad news.
Download the TOI App.About the AuthorNiyati ParikhNiyati Parikh, Special Correspondent at The Times of India, covers Gujarat’s corporate sector and MSMEs across renewables, IT, textiles, BFSI, and more. She tracks taxation, GST, GIFT City, and IFSCA with a data-led, industry-focused lens.
Known for spotting stories in raw data, she also writes human-interest features on culture and animal welfare, blending sharp reporting with empathy for overlooked voices.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPhotostoriesHot PicksGold rate todayDelhi building collapseDelhi bs6 ruleBrazil presidential election resultsBank holidaySchools holiday Tamil NaduJio IPO AllotmentIndia fuel stockJio IPOArnab CycloneTop TrendingBenjamin NetanyahuOil Prices TodayTravis Kelce EstateLulas JibeShadab KhanGold Rates TodayDelhi Vehicle BanIran WarElection CommissionKentucky Marital DisputeTired of too many ads?go ad free nowTrending StoriesIn AhmedabadIn CityGujarat alert: Devbhoomi Dwarka, Kutch, Jamnagar and Porbandar districts declared drought-affected; farmers to get Rs 8,500 per hectareTemperature in Gujarat may drop next week: IMDTimes Dhandho: Gujarat Inc Feels Fuel Cost Heat55 e-buses to offer free rides to tourists at Statue of Unity550 security personnel, 275 bikers join national rally against drugs, CM Bhupendra Patel flags off 45 teams from GandhinagarComputer engg seat vacancies hit 5-yr highCong plans booth-level 'vote guardians'‘Lynch syndrome behind half of cancer tumours with MSI’23-yr-old dies by suicide; 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