Weekend getaways overbooked as Holi holiday, end of exams trigger rush for short vacations
Times of India | 11 March 2025
1234 Kolkata: An extended weekend, with the Dol Jatra public holiday on Friday, has triggered a rush to nearby getaways, with Kolkatans seizing the opportunity for short vacations. As a result, accommodations — from hotels to resorts, from homestays to rajbaris — are fast filling up, with more queries pouring in for big groups.
The long weekend has also coincided with the conclusion of several examinations, which has added to the rush to nearby weekend getaways like Jhargram, Digha, Mandarmani, Puri, Santiniketan, and other holiday hotspots. The weather, which is still not very harsh during the day and pleasant in the evening, has prompted Kolkatans to plan their mini-vacation. Local travel agencies and hotel owners have reported that most properties are filling up fast, with people expecting to enjoy themselves before the sweltering summer months.
At Jhargram Palace, all 14 rooms are booked till Sunday. "We are full from March 11 till March 16. We are receiving queries for further bookings, but there are no rooms available till Sunday," said Biswajit Jana, manager at Jhargram Palace. Hotels in coastal towns like Digha, Mandarmani, and Tajpur are witnessing a ‘high number of bookings'. This has come as a big relief to the hotel industry, as the number of tourists dipped heavily in the past few months.
"The combination of the extended weekend, conclusion of school exams, and the weather has created the perfect recipe for a short vacation," said Jayanta Roy of the Mandarmani Hoteliers' Association. "Most hotels are filling up fast, with more booking requests pouring in. We expect full occupancy by the weekend," said Roy.
Many Kolkatans prefer to stay in homestays to savour a slice of local life. Many villagers in Purulia and Jhargram have converted portions of their homes into homestays. "We have five rooms which we converted into a homestay. We have our own kitchen where we make all the meals. We also organise programmes for our guests, giving them insight into the local culture," said Shambhu Oran, owner of Tapoban Homestay in Bagmundi.
Train tickets to various locations like Puri, Digha, Purulia, Jhargaram and Santiniketan have already been booked much in advance. Many who planned their trip late will have to rely on buses or private vehicles.
For many families, the extended weekend has come at the right time.
"With the upcoming extended weekend, we've seen a tremendous response in bookings at our hotel as travelers seek a distinctive and memorable experience. We are fully sold out during the Holi weekend, " said Akhil Kochhar, director, The Chanakya BNR Hotel in Puri.