The extended Republic Day weekend beginning Saturday has triggered a sharp surge in travel across India, with hotels and resorts reporting a significant rise in bookings, driven by strong demand for short, experience-focused getaways.

Industry leaders say the trend reflects a clear shift in traveller behaviour, with urban Indians increasingly opting for micro-getaways—short holidays that combine convenience, relaxation and curated experiences. Leisure destinations within India, as well as select international locations with easy connectivity, are seeing heightened interest.

K B Kachru, President of the Hotel Association of India, said the long weekend has generated strong traction across the hospitality sector. Hotels are witnessing increased demand for wellness-led stays, personalised experiences and flexible booking options, particularly from city-based travellers seeking quick breaks without long planning cycles.

MakeMyTrip Co-founder and Group CEO Rajesh Magow noted that weekend travel appetite remains robust. While nearby destinations dominate metro travel patterns, Goa continues to be the most preferred domestic leisure destination. Internationally, easy-visa countries with direct flight connectivity, especially Thailand and Vietnam, are leading demand.

Radisson Hotel Group’s South Asia MD & COO Nikhil Sharma said the Republic Day break, being the first long weekend of 2026, has emerged as a strong demand window, supported by leisure, event-led travel and steady corporate movement, with last-minute bookings expected to rise closer to arrival dates.

Hotel operators across segments echoed similar views. The Leela Palaces highlighted growing interest in culturally immersive yet easy-to-access escapes, while Wyndham Hotels reported a notable influx into destinations such as Udaipur, Jaipur, Jim Corbett, Gangtok, Mussoorie and coastal cities like Kochi.

Industry executives also observed a shift towards shorter booking cycles, with many travellers finalising plans within a week to ten days of travel. Overall, the Republic Day weekend is setting the tone for a strong start to the year for India’s leisure travel and hospitality sector.