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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.
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Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
