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Time of India

Kolkatans plan I-Day weekend getaways

1 2 3 4 Kolkata: With Independence Day falling on a Friday this year and the following Saturday and Sunday adding up to a three-day holiday, Kolkatans are making a beeline for weekend getaways. From beaches to hills, occupancy rates at top destinations such as Digha, Mandarmani, Santiniketan, Purulia, Mousuni, and Bankura have shot up over the past week. "We are seeing 95–100% occupancy in most properties for the weekend. Demand has been particularly strong for seaside resorts in Digha and Mandarmani," said Biprodas Chakraborty, joint secretary of Digha Shankarpur Hoteliers Association. "Enquiry and bookings for boutique stays in Santiniketan have also increased. Even homestays and small eco-resorts are fully booked," said Chandranath Banerjee of Bolpur Shantiniketan Hoteliers Association. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata Holidaymakers are also opting for closer-to-home escapes, including Airbnb villas and resort properties with private swimming pools for parties with friends and families. "We didn't want to travel too far with kids, so we booked a pool villa at Raichak. It's more relaxed than rushing through a packed sightseeing schedule," said Aritra Saha, a graphic designer. SUV rental firms are also reporting a spike in bookings, especially for large groups headed to beaches or hill retreats. "All our bigger vehiclesare booked for the long weekend. People prefer the comfort of SUVs when travelling with friends or extended family," said Anirban Chakraborty, who runs a car rental service in New Alipore. "We had two 12-seater buses. They too were long booked." Tour operators say the long weekend has given many the perfect excuse for a short break before the festive season rush. "This year's Aug holiday stretch is as busy as Durga Puja in terms of short-haul travel," said tour planner Paritosh Banerjee. Many, like the newly wed Diptobrata Bhattacharya, are also driving to Puri with his wife and two other friends to spend the weekend as they plan to head out of the city after office on Thursday. Nationally, the top 10 most trending domestic cities for this long weekend include Puri, Goa, Udaipur, Jaipur, Lonavala, Varanasi, Coorg, Mahabaleshwar, Ooty, and Pondicherry. Among the international destinations closer to home, Pattaya, Bali, Bangkok, Singapore, Dubai, and Phuket are the trending short hauls. "Independence Day has emerged as a key travel occasion over the years. This year too, the search and booking trends point to strong intent to travel over the Independence Day weekend. With Independence Day on a Friday, travel demand appears to be peaking two days earlier, on Wednesday, Aug 13, giving early travellers a five-day window," said Rajesh Magow, co-founder and group CEO, MakeMyTrip. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.