The vibrant Holi festival is experiencing unprecedented global reach in 2025. Data by Atlys, a visa-facilitating platform, revealed fascinating shifts in travel behaviour surrounding this traditional Indian celebration. This year’s festival coincides with a long weekend. This created perfect conditions for both international visitors heading to India and Indians taking the celebration abroad. Here are all of the other important details that you would need to know about this particular report about Holi travel trends among Indians.
21% Of Holi-Related Visa Applicants Travel Abroad In 2025
Atlys reports that 21 per cent of Holi-related visa applications come from Indians travelling to destinations like Japan, Thailand, Dubai and Singapore. This demonstrates how cultural traditions are increasingly blending with international exploration.
Family travel has surged by 27.2 per cent compared to 2024. Travellers strategically combine short work and school breaks to maximise their Holi experience. The data indicates that 55 per cent of Holi-related travel spans between four and seven days.
This illustrates how festival tourism is evolving into longer, more immersive experiences. Meanwhile, India continues to attract international visitors eager to experience authentic Holi celebrations, with inbound visa applications for March increasing by 18 per cent year-on-year.
Other Important Details About This Report
These applications represent 13.2 per cent of total inbound visa requests. This highlights Holi’s significance in cultural tourism. Most foreign visitors are heading to Delhi, using it as a gateway to northern destinations like Pushkar. Here, traditional celebrations are particularly vibrant.
Northern Indian cities are renowned for their traditional celebrations. Especially cities like Banaras, Vrindavan and Varanasi. They remain popular destinations for experiencing authentic Holi festivities.
The festival’s themes of togetherness, joy and renewal resonate across borders, encouraging both Indians and international visitors to embrace and reinterpret these traditions. As Holi’s colourful influence spreads worldwide, it exemplifies how cultural celebrations can transcend geographical boundaries while maintaining their authentic spirit.
This evolution of Holi-related travel demonstrates a broader shift in how cultural celebrations are experienced in a globalised world.
Cover Image Credits: Canva Pro Images
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First Published: March 13, 2025 12:21 PM