Indian travellers chase the chill to ring in New Year

Winter is calling

- AKSHARA SRIVASTAVA

India’s year-end travel patterns are showing a decisive tilt towards colder climes with domestic winter destinations dominating the holiday rush, points out data from travel aggregator ixigo.

According to the platform, Srinagar is leading the surge with over 100 per cent month-on-month (Mo-M) growth in December flight searches. There was also strong traction for Dehradun at 54 per cent and Jammu at 39 per cent.

“Tourist interest for Jammu and Kashmir is growing again, which is a very positive trend. The region needs tourists back and it’s heartening to see that interest coming back. Tourists like visiting the region in this weather to see fresh snow, which is a very beautiful experience,” said a tourism industry executive.

“With hotel room rates and flight fares for both domestic and international beach destinations surging, people are instead choosing to ring in the New Year in the hills. Here, fares are comparatively lower and most destinations have great road connectivity,” the executive further said.