This Diwali, poor air quality drives people to the hills; hotels see larger numbers and longer stays

Poor air quality in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai is resulting in Diwali holidays being planned in the hills or places with less pollution.

Trade

• Watchlist
• Portfolio
• Message
• Set Alert

 

 

Choose Stock Exchange: BSE LIVE NSE LIVE

26 Aug, 2025 12:21

Volume

Todays L/H

More

×

This year, it is not just Diwali that is making people step out of their homes for a holiday trip to the hills. It is the poor air quality in places like Delhi-NCR and Mumbai that is compelling many to not only plan a vacation but also extend their stay.

A majority of people are looking at festive getaways this Diwali, said Ramit Sethi, Co- Founder Seclude Hotels Home style.

"We have seen a 30 percent surge (in bookings) for Kasauli, Shimla, Mussoorie, Landsdown, among others. This Diwali, there is a higher demand as more people are looking to escape pollution, breathe in fresh air, and unwind while spending quality time with their loved ones or even themselves. People are flocking to the mountains during this time to have a pleasant atmosphere," he said.

Residents of Delhi-NCR seem to have found a new way to extend their Diwali celebrations, said Mahinder Rawat, General Manager, The Orchid Hotel Shimla.

Smog engulfs Delhi and Mumbai, AQI likely to remain 'very poor' in national capital

"Starting from the day after Diwali, there is a significant upswing in the number of individuals and families booking rooms in Himachal Pradesh. Residents of Delhi-NCR are increasingly favouring hill stations such as Shimla, Manali, and Uttarakhand as their preferred getaway destinations. This shift in preferences is primarily driven by the desire to escape the poor air quality prevalent in their cities. We expect the demand for such hill stations as getaways to steadily increase year on year. In fact, many frequent travellers have now incorporated these '#BreathHealthy' getaways into their annual holiday plans," he added.

SaffronStays, a private vacation homes network, has witnessed a 35 percent increase in people opting to stay at serene homestays in the North, mainly observed post October 20, 2023 after a severe AQI (Air Quality Index) drop in Delhi.

"The demand is higher this year as most families prefer to move away from the city pollution to avoid health impacts, especially on kids, senior citizens and pets. This is expected to further increase after Diwali, said Devendra Parulekar, Founder of SaffronStays.

Hotel chain Royal Orchid's Chairman and Managing Director, Chander K Baljee, pointed out that recognising the deteriorating AQI, they have proactively shifted their focus towards promoting hill destinations as ideal family vacation spots.

Also read: Bullish on India | An air pollution-free India by 2047 is not a Utopian dream

Longer stays

The demand for hotel bookings this Diwali is higher as compared to the previous year, said Stephen D’souza, General Manager – Four Points By Sheraton Navi Mumbai, Vashi & Associate Vice President – Cluster Operations, citing a Booking.com survey.

The survey indicates that 47 percent of Indian travellers intend to take a vacation during Diwali this year, an increase from 38 percent in the previous year. "Many individuals are prioritising destinations with better air quality, especially those residing in heavily polluted cities like Delhi. Also, the duration of hotel stays during this Diwali season has experienced a significant uptick. As schools have temporarily closed their doors or transitioned to online modes of learning, and with an increasing number of employees adopting work-from-home (WFH) arrangements, families and individuals alike are seizing this opportunity to embark on extended vacations," said D’souza.

The average length of hotel stays during Diwali this year has increased to 4.5 nights, compared to the 3.5 nights recorded the previous year, according to the Booking.com survey.

"Shimla has witnessed an increase in the average duration of night stays, with travellers opting to extend their visits by an additional night on an average. Shimla and Manali tours now span up to seven nights while, the typical length of stay for travellers has traditionally averaged around two nights," said Rawat.

Also read: Festive travel demand soars despite high airfares; Ahmedabad thrives on cricket craze

This year, people are certainly holidaying for longer periods, said Somesh Agarwal, Chairman and MD at Radisson Blu Palace Resort, Udaipur. "We have seen a demand for 10 days. However, guests usually stay for about two to four days," he said.

Higher room rates

This Diwali, the demand is high despite the increase in room rates.

"Room rates have been raised by 20 percent, reflecting the increased demand during this festive season, said Radisson's Agarwal.

Prices of rooms are five to seven percent higher than last year at SaffronStays, noted Parulekar.

Also read: World Cup 2023: Flight searches up 15% for inbound travel, highest demand from Australia

"Hotel rates have recorded a 60 percent growth in Average Daily Rate (ADR) compared to the Diwali weekend last year. This surge in hotel prices is due to the heightened demand for hotel accommodations during festive seasons. There has also been a shift in travel patterns, with an increasing number of aspiring travellers opting to explore new destinations during festivals rather than staying at home. This behaviour change is driving the surge in hotel bookings and rates," said Nikhil Sharma, Market Managing Director, Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.