Brands
Festive spirit fuels travel: Indians seek getaways for Holi and Easter
Mumbai: With Holi (25 March) and Good Friday (29 March ) just a few days apart, Indian travellers are seizing this opportunity and exploring both domestic and international destinations for this festive break. Booking.com, connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, reveals the travel insights of Indian travellers for the upcoming festive break.
From exploring vibrant cities to soaking in the cultural festivities, Indians are seeking diverse experiences to make the most of their time off. According to Booking.com data, besides metros, some of the most searched leisure destinations include Udaipur, Jaipur, Goa, Lonavala and Manali.
Spiritual destinations are also experiencing a surge in demand, with Vrindavan, known for its Holi celebrations, emerging as the top five most searched destinations in India, alongside destinations like Rishikesh, Puri and Varanasi.
Top 10 most searched domestic destinations for Indian travellers travelling from March 23-31, 2024
Mumbai
Bengaluru
Udaipur
New Delhi
Vrindavan
Jaipur
Goa
Rishikesh
Puri
Varanasi
Exploring international getaways
Closer to home international destinations like Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Bali and Hanoi are also gaining traction as popular travel choices during this period.
Top 10 most searched international destinations by Indian travelling internationally from March 23-31, 2024
Dubai
Singapore
Bangkok
Makkah (Saudi Arabia)
London
Paris
Kuala Lumpur
Bali
Tokyo
Hanoi
Booking.com, country manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia Santosh Kumar said, “Long weekends and festivities offer Indians the perfect opportunity to unwind and escape the daily grind with a short getaway. Our Travel Predictions 2024 research revealed that 85% of Indian travellers feel more alive when they are on vacation and we are thrilled to see the surge in travel demand for the Holi and Easter weekend. As travel enthusiasm continues to grow, Booking.com remains committed to making it easier for everyone to experience the world and make the most of this festive period by providing them with flights, rental cars, attractions and of course unique places to stay.”
Methodology
This release looks at search sessions between 22-02-2024 and 02-03-2024, with check-in dates between 23-03-2024 and 31-03-2024
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
