Indian travellers are actively planning for the 2026 Republic Day long weekend, with new
data from Agoda revealing a significant surge in early travel searches. Accommodation
searches for the key holiday period of January 23-26 have risen dramatically compared to
the same timeframe last year. The figures shows a particularly strong reflection in domestic
travel interest, with searches within India more than doubling—a substantial 115% year-on-
year increase. Interest in international getaways has also climbed, with outbound searches
rising by 63%. This early planning activity underscores a market keen to maximize the first
long weekend of the year, with the coastal state of Goa emerging as the leading domestic
destination and the global hub of Dubai topping the list for international trips.

The analysis of domestic travel trends shows Goa maintaining its iconic status. However, the
data highlights impressive growth for alternative destinations. Securing a strong second
place is Pondicherry, where searches have soared by an extraordinary 211% year-on-year.
The royal city of Udaipur follows in third place with a solid 148% growth. Delving deeper,
the serene beaches of Varkala and the hill station of Ooty recorded the highest growth rates
among top destinations, at 188% and 182% respectively. The cultural centers of Jaipur and
Varanasi also demonstrated strong appeal, with search growth of 154% and 142%.

For international travels, convenience and short-haul appeal remain paramount. Dubai
continues as the foremost choice, with search volumes growing by approximately 84%. It is
closely followed by the Southeast Asian favourites of Phuket and Bangkok, which saw
increases of 77% and 56%. The most striking trend is the explosive rise of emerging
destinations. Phu Quoc Island emerged as the fastest-growing international spot, recording
a meteoric year-on-year search increase of over eleven times. Krabi demonstrated strong
appeal with 163% growth, while interest in Ho Chi Minh City nearly doubled, increasing by
99%.

Gaurav Malik, Country Director for the Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands at
Agoda, quoted “Long weekend travel now reflects a more deliberate and meticulous
planning approach from Indian tourists. As the first extended break, Republic Day sets the
tone for early travel decisions. This year’s trends point to broader destination choices,
blending domestic stays with nearby international markets, perfect for a long weekend
format.”