The emerging pattern is not simply about spending less or more. Travellers are comparing the total cost and value of a trip before deciding where to spend.
It is no longer just about the rate
Experts say consumers are becoming more value-conscious.
Ritwik Khare, Founder and CEO of ELIVAAS, said travellers are looking beyond the lowest room rate and considering factors such as location, inclusions, amenities and flexibility.
“Travellers are more value-conscious than purely price-conscious. They are looking at the overall experience, not just the lowest rate. Stay prices and offers remain key, but inclusions, location and amenities influence the final booking decision. Good infrastructure is pushing travellers towards closer, drive-to destinations for short breaks,” he said.
Sumit Mitruka, Founder and CEO of Summit Hotels & Resorts, said travellers are calculating the combined cost of flights, local transport, sightseeing and meals before making a decision.
“Many guests are still opting for better room categories or spending on dining and experiences once they reach the destination. The real shift is towards more calculated spending. Travellers want to know that the additional amount they pay will materially improve their holiday, rather than simply paying a premium because demand is high,” he said.
Short holiday, full expense
The length of a trip does not determine its financial impact.
Pickyourtrail said the average long-weekend traveller on its platform now spends ₹80,000-₹1 lakh, compared with ₹70,000-₹80,000 last year. It also reported a 40% year-on-year rise in long-weekend bookings.
These figures are specific to the platform and are not an industry-wide average.
Cleartrip’s travel trends tracker, meanwhile, found that travellers during the Onam and Raksha Bandhan period were taking trips of around 2-3 days on average. Hotel bookings to Kerala rose 69% year-on-year, according to the platform.
For personal finance, the important point is that a short trip can still carry a sizeable bill once transport, accommodation, food and activities are included.
Where the extra spending goes
KB Kachru, President of the Hotel Association of India and Chairman – South Asia at Radisson Hotel Group, said demand is growing for short stays where travellers spend on food and experiences alongside accommodation.
Kush Kapoor, CEO of Roseate Hotels & Resorts, said guests are looking at the overall experience and value of a stay rather than discounts alone.
“The overall experience and value of stay are taking precedence over discount-led travel.”
Krinal Thaker, Marketing Head at Evoke Experiences, said short-break travellers are planning around what they can see and experience within two or three days.
For a household budget, dining, wellness, sightseeing and activities are discretionary expenses. They should be counted separately rather than getting lost in the headline hotel price.
“Travellers are comparing prices, but they are evaluating the itinerary rather than the room in isolation. For short holidays, people are effectively buying time: the less effort they have to spend organising logistics, the more value they see in the trip.”
Group travel can lower some costs
Sharing accommodation can bring down the per-person cost of a trip.
ELIVAAS said premium villa stays can become more accessible when the cost is divided among a group.
Cleartrip’s data also showed that while 75% of its air bookings during the period were solo bookings, 96.5% of hotel bookings were group bookings.
This can reduce the accommodation cost per person, although food, transport and activities can still push up the final bill.
First Published: Aug 19, 2026 7:05 PM IST
