With a long holiday around independence day and Janmashtami, combined with the weekend, Mumbaikars are making plans for a 4-day vacation from their stressful lives.
According to travel industry insiders, most resorts and hotels in popular holiday destinations are already booked and those making last minute bookings are expected to feel the pinch of it.
"The bookings are full at most of our resorts, since it will be a long weekend and people prefer to plan well in advance during these," said a spokesperson for state-owned Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).
Holidayers are banking on Independence day which falls on a Friday. Janmashtami adds to the holiday spirit, with it falling on Monday.
Hotel tourism experts say that hectic work and busy schedules give people little window for well planned vacations and have prompted fast track travelers to embrace weekend getaways. Short holidays, insiders say, have also become a get-together occasion for friends who are more comfortable with weekend huddles at a resort.
Rohit Khetrapal, co-founder of a well-known travel portal, states that there are many long weekends this year and people prefer to take short breaks, rather than one or two long breaks. "We have already seen a 20% increase in traction for August 15 and October 2 weekends, which is more than the traffic witnessed in the summer," he says.
Popular destinations like Goa, Srinagar, Leh and Thailand remain favourites, apart from beaches and hill stations closer home, including Matheran, Mahabaleshwar, Alibaug and Bordi.
Suman Rao, a teacher with a Juhu-based school, has already done her bookings for Matheran. "I have planned this weekend for spending some quality time with my cousins and extended family. The rains in Matheran may enchant the trip," says Rao.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}