Most schools, colleges, and offices will be closed for Janmashtami on Thursday; this, with the next three days, will give the city a 4-day-long holiday
With four days of holidays round the corner, Amdavadis are ready to pack their bags and move out of the city for their mini-vacation.
Most schools, colleges and offices would be shut due to Janmashtami on Thursday, which is linked to the week end, making it a four day long holiday for everyone. This has lead to an increase in travel and hotel business, as many get ready to empty their pockets for a few days of vacation and relaxation.
Travel business has gone up by 30% and most of Gujarat and Rajasthan-based hotels are rapidly getting booked, making it difficult for those late in booking a room for their family and themselves.
"These days, we have witnessed a hike in our travel business, thanks to the festive season. This year, our business has gone up by 30%, as compared to last year," said Sanjeev Chhajer, vice-president, Cox and Kings (India) Ltd.
Regarding hotel booking, Chhajer said, "There is tremendous rush for room booking in hotels in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Some hotels are already full while some others have hiked their prices by 10 - 15% due to lined up festival clubbed with four-day long holiday. Some travel firms have also come up with Janmashtami special travel packages.
Also, people from Saurashtra or Rajkot are mainly moving out towards Ahmedabad or Udaipur. However, people with higher budgets have booked for Malaysia, Singapore and Macau."
According to data, the most sought after destinations for majority of the people, are Mount Abu, Udaipur and Goa.
"We just have four days. So we cannot go abroad, nor can we go travel to distant locations from Gujarat. So I thought, a visit to Mount Abu with my family would be a wiser option," added a person, who booked tickets for Abu.
"Some people have extended their vacations for six days, instead of three and have booked tickets for Hong Kong and Macau. The rest are traveling to Goa. Also, hotels situated nearby holiday spots are getting full with approaching festival and vacation," said Mahendra Vakharia, managing director of Pathfinders Holidays.
Bimal Mehta, MD of Travel Designer, said, "Majority of people are moving to Rajasthan as it is the nearest. In Rajasthan too, Udaipur is the most favourite. Meanwhile, hotels are rapidly getting booked to its maxim in just a few days. Bookings are on in full swing."
If rumours are to be believed, then the sudden rise in booking is attributed to the recent raids conducted by police, wherein police caught farmers betting and playing cards.
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