PANAJI
Goa may still be a popular holiday spot, but it is no longer leading India’s festive travel charts. A new report by Thrillophilia reveals that the State has been edged out by Rajasthan and the Himalayan belt, while travelers are increasingly seeking curated luxury and offbeat escapes across India and abroad.
The Festive Travel Pulse 2025, based on 4.2 million visits, reveals that Goa commands only a 10 percent share in domestic festive bookings this season. Rajasthan’s Jaipur“Udaipur“Jaisalmer circuit outpaces it with 16 percent, while Himachal and Uttarakhand together draw 12 percent. Kerala, long seen as Goa’s southern competitor, follows closely at 9 percent.
In the international market, Dubai alone corners 16 percent of outbound bookings, while Thailand (15 percent), Singapore (14 percent), Vietnam (10 percent), and Bali (8 percent) are seeing stronger demand, indicating Indian travellers are moving out of domestic destinations including Goa.
The report also cited an 18 percent jump in overall festive demand year-on-year, and a 24 percent rise in outbound travel.
As per the report, while Goa offers premium beachside stays and sunset cruises, it is struggling to match the freshness of sundowner safaris in Dubai, bay cruises in Singapore, or zipline adventures in Vietnam. Offbeat Indian destinations like Gandikota in Andhra Pradesh (+22percent), Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh (+18percent), and the Meghalaya“Ziro belt (+13percent) are also eating into Goa’s market, appealing to those who want culture and quiet rather than crowded beaches.
Goa’s industry leaders have been repeatedly warning that attractive overseas holiday deals and prevalent taxi issues have been luring away some of the visitors. The travel planners have also been on record stating that a growing number of visitors are choosing budget-friendly international breaks in Southeast Asia during the holiday period.
