Visa applications surged 32% during the Independence Day long weekend compared to a regular weekend, as per data from visa platform Atlys. Popular destinations included Bali, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Dubai, and Thailand—all known for relatively hassle-free visa procedures.
Relaxed visa norms and better air connectivity have fueled strong growth in bookings to destinations like Dubai, Bali, and Bangkok—an increase of 65% in H1 2025, according to OYO.
2. Spontaneous Mini-vacations
The myth that international travel requires long breaks is fading. Travelers are treating just a long weekend—and a passport—as enough to escape abroad.
Atlys data shows that nearly 60% of visa bookings during the long weekend were for quick destinations like Bali, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Dubai, and Thailand.
3. Social Media Influence
Social platforms are amplifying the allure of these destinations—Bali’s cafés, bike tours in Vietnam, and Dubai’s vibrant nightlife are all driving wanderlust-worthy escapes.
4. Tier-2 Cities Joining In
Not just metros—cities like Surat, Jaipur, and Mohali saw even sharper increases, around 35%, in visa demand, highlighting growing travel enthusiasm nationwide.
5. Shift from Domestic to Short-Haul International Travel
While 58% of Indian travelers still opted for domestic trips during the long weekend, there was significant interest in international “mini-cations,” especially across Asia-Pacific.
Domestic favorite getaways included Goa, Udaipur, Jaipur, Puducherry, among others. Internationally, searches surged for Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, London, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Bali, and more.
Accommodation preferences are also evolving: 74% of travelers preferred homestays, villas, or guesthouses over traditional hotels for their flexibility and comfort.
6. Emergence of Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations
Indians are embracing lesser-known global destinations such as Seychelles, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Fiji—travel insurance purchases for these places are up nearly 45% over the past few years.
This signals a growing appetite for unique experiences beyond the usual tourist circuits.
In Summary:
Indians are transforming long weekends into globe-trotting opportunities rather than limiting themselves to staycations or nearby hills. Factors like easy visas, better flight networks, social-media allure, and growing travel aspirations—especially from Tier-2 cities—are fueling this shift. Independence Day 2025 was a perfect example: short, spontaneous escapes abroad are now firmly part of the traveler’s playbook.
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