This I-Day weekend, Goa flights from Ahmedabad 33% costlier than Dubai
However, even if you plan a month before, a roundtrip flight to a nearby destination might just burn a hole in your pocket. At the top of the price charts is Goa, with return fares from Ahmedabad between Aug 14 and 18 averaging around Rs 28,000 on direct flights.
Surprisingly, return air fare to Dubai are hovering around Rs 21,000, which is 33% less for the same dates. Even other domestic routes like Dehradun (Rs 17,000), Chennai (Rs 10,000), Mumbai (Rs 10,000), and Jaipur (Rs 9,000) are offering little relief.
According to travel agents, the Aug rush comes against the backdrop of a relatively quiet summer vacation season, with many families skipping May-June holidays.
"Domestic bookings nosedived after the India-Pakistan border tensions escalated and the ill-fated terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam. In fact, there were ample cancellations too. That apart, airspace closure and other concerns also impacted international travel plans of many.
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This is the first real opportunity for a short escapade after months, and people are booking their holidays in large numbers, especially families and young working couples.
That's pushing fares up sharply," said Virendra Shah, ex-chairman, Travel Agents' Association of India (TAAI) Gujarat chapter.
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"Many travellers scrambled to cancel or rebook both international and domestic tickets, often at exorbitant last-minute rates.
The rush to find alternate routes or destinations only intensified the price pressure," he added.
Offering the best of both worlds, including the hills and the seas, lush forests and waterfalls, Goa remains the top pick for many travellers from Gujarat, owing to its proximity with direct flight connectivity, monsoon charm, beach-side properties, and vibrant local culture. Traditionally, the coastal state also draws visitors from Gujarat who tend to go gambling on Janmashtami.
"Interestingly, the traction for international destinations is also good. People are adjusting their leaves on 13/14 or 13 and 17 or 17/18 and flocking to Southeast Asian spots like Maldives, Krabi, and Bali, among others. Even Sri Lanka bookings have seen a good uptake," said Manish Sharma, a travel industry expert based in Ahmedabad.
"With flights out of reach for many, road trips are also picking up strongly. While Udaipur, Mount Abu, the Polo Forest region, and even heritage stays in Kutch and Saurashtra are seeing strong demand, particularly for self-drive holidays and quick family packages. Travel platforms are reporting a surge in last-minute searches for staycations and drivable destinations from Ahmedabad. We have already witnessed an uptick in property prices in Udaipur," Sharma further explained.
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Time of India
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- Time of India
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The Print
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