This New Year's Eve, a significant shift is underway in Pune's travel plans. Instead of jetting off to popular beach destinations, many residents, wary of recent flight disruptions and high airfares, are choosing to celebrate closer to home. The trend towards 'staycations' and short drivable getaways has seen a sharp spike, marking a change from traditional holiday routines.
Flight Fears Prompt Last-Minute Plan Changes
Sanjana and Rohit Dholke, an HR professional couple from Koregaon Park, are a prime example. For five consecutive years, they celebrated New Year's Eve at Benaulim Beach in South Goa. This year, however, they have cancelled their Goa plan. "We don't need any rude surprises," they said, referencing the recent major issues faced by thousands of flyers due to IndiGo flight disruptions. The couple will now ring in 2025 at a friend's farmhouse in Lonavla.
Similarly, Prashik Mehta, a Kothrud resident, and his six friends dropped their plans to travel to Delhi. "Delhi is cold and flights are risky due to bad weather causing cancellations. Taking a risk and getting stranded is unwanted," Mehta explained. The group has instead booked a villa in Mulshi, a mere 48km drive from Pune, where they intend to spend three days from December 30.
Travel Industry Notes a Surge in Smart, Flexible Travel
Travel companies confirm this is a widespread phenomenon. Rikant Pittie, CEO and co-founder of EaseMyTrip, told TOI that interest in staycations and short drivable trips from Pune and across Maharashtra has surged sharply. "Around 60-70% of all road travel now consists of trips under 48 hours," he revealed, adding that a significant share of travellers now prefer one to three-day trips, often booked at the last minute.
He termed this shift towards "smarter and more flexible travel choices." Pittie noted that many from Pune are discovering efficient train options and convenient drivable getaways across Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka to keep their celebrations on track. He also observed that travel demand from Maharashtra is bouncing back despite recent disruptions, with airfares beginning to stabilise after brief spikes.
High Airfares Also Deter Travelers
For some, the decision to stay back is not just about uncertainty but also cost. Ashwin Dixit, a Vimannagar resident, had to decline an invitation from a friend in Kolkata because a round-trip flight cost Rs 29,000. His friend, Manav Ekka, who wanted to visit Kochi, faced a similar quote of Rs 30,000, making him question the effectiveness of airfare caps.
Staycation Demand Accelerates, Prices Rise
Karan Agarwal, director of Cox and Kings, emphasised that while overall travel demand remains strong, there has been a marked acceleration in demand for staycations and drivable holidays. This demand is driving up prices. "Prices for staycations, hotels, and on-ground experiences have risen sharply across many destinations," Agarwal stated.
He highlighted a 20-40% increase in interest for road-accessible stays compared to pre-disruption periods. The popular drivable hotspots from Pune now include:
- Lonavla
- Mahabaleshwar
- Panchgani
- Karjat
- Nashik
- Alibaug
The consensus is clear: Pune's holiday-goers are redefining celebration plans, prioritising convenience, certainty, and the scenic beauty closer to home over long-haul flights this festive season.
