Agoda flags Goa and Dubai as Republic Day long-weekend favourites

INDIA: Goa and Dubai have emerged as the most searched destinations for India’s Republic Day long weekend, according to Agoda, as travellers lock in plans for the January 23–26 break. Data from the online travel platform shows domestic accommodation searches more than doubled year on year, rising 115 per cent, while outbound searches climbed 63 per cent, underlining strong appetite for short, early-year getaways.

Goa topped domestic search rankings, followed by Pondicherry, which recorded a sharp 211 per cent rise in interest, and Udaipur, up 148 per cent. Among the top ten destinations, Varkala and Ooty posted the fastest growth at 188 per cent and 182 per cent respectively, while Jaipur and Varanasi also saw solid increases of 154 per cent and 142 per cent.

Internationally, Dubai led search interest for the long weekend, with year-on-year growth of about 84 per cent, followed by Phuket and Bangkok at 77 per cent and 56 per cent. Phu Quoc Island emerged as the fastest-growing overseas destination, recording more than an eleven-fold jump in searches, while Krabi rose 163 per cent and Ho Chi Minh City nearly doubled at 99 per cent.

Commenting on the trend, country director Gaurav Malik, Indian subcontinent and Indian Ocean islands at Agoda, said long-weekend travel is becoming more deliberate, with travellers blending domestic trips and nearby international destinations suited to short breaks. Agoda said it is supporting demand with value-led deals across accommodation, flights and activities, including discounts under its upcoming mega sale in February.