TBM Staff - Mumbai
As India celebrated its Independence Day, the long weekend spurred a significant increase in bus bookings nationwide. AbhiBus reported a 54% year-over-year (YoY) rise in bookings, showcasing how travellers capitalised on the extended break.
Top Leisure Destinations
Several leisure destinations experienced a remarkable rise in bookings over the weekend. Pondicherry saw an impressive 200% increase, Dehradun recorded a 184% rise, Manali experienced a 170% uptick, and Goa reported a 44% boost in bus bookings.
Spiritual Travel Surge
In addition to leisure travel, spiritual destinations also saw a significant surge in bookings as travellers used the long weekend to visit religious and wellness spots. Key spiritual destinations such as Ayodhya, Banaras (Varanasi), Tirupati, and Rishikesh topped the charts with an average increase of 100-300% in bookings.
Female and Solo Travellers Leading the Trend
The long weekend also witnessed a rise in female travellers, with a 50% increase in bookings from women. Notably, there was a 37% uptick in female solo travellers. Overall, solo travel saw a 38% increase, contributing to the overall surge in travel bookings.
Rohit Sharma, COO, AbhiBus, commented, “It is exciting to see how Indians are actively choosing buses as their mode of travel, especially for the long weekend. The growing interest in popular leisure destinations like Goa, Manali, and Pondicherry, along with spiritual hubs like Ayodhya, Banaras, and Tirupati, highlights a diverse trend where Indians are exploring adventure and spirituality with equal enthusiasm.”
