Holi Hai! Flight tickets soar this week

Airfares have soared ahead of Holi on some routes as people visit their hometowns. Holi, the festival of colours, will be celebrated on March 7th in some parts of the country while on March 8th in some places. Travel operators have also reported higher demand for some overseas destinations like Dubai and Singapore.

"As the festival of colour approaches, airfare tickets are increasing. During the Holi week (6th to 12th March, 2023) airfares have increased 20% so far as compared to last year and more surge is expected till Holi," according to Nishant Pitti, Co-Founder and CEO of EaseMyTrip.

A Google search shows that Delhi-Patna fares upwards of Rs 11,000 for travel on March 7 as compared to about Rs 4,000 later this month.. Flight tickets to holiday destinations like Goa are also quoting higher as compared to travel later this month. Tickets to short-haul overseas destinations like Dubai and Singapore are also showing a spike this week.

"To our surprise, despite an increase demand in airfares people’s urge to travel have not been affected. Talking of Holi, Mathura is undoubtedly at the top of the travellers list because the holy city is relevant in terms of Hindu mythology. Travel searches for this particular destination increased by a remarkable 100% this year," he said.

EaseMyTrip CEO Nishant Pitti also noted that Varanasi and Jaipur have also seen a huge search interest online. "A surge of 50% in searches for Varanasi indicates that it is another well-liked option for travellers. In this holy city, Holi is celebrated for two-days and tourists can witness a spiritual event by enjoying the festival near the ghats. Additionally, Jaipur and Rajasthan are also on the tourists lists of preferred destinations this year. Both the cities has their own unique ways of celebrating Holi," he said.