Friday, March 14, 2025 In 2025, the globally renowned Holi festival, celebrated with zeal across India’s historic cities like Mathura Vrindavan, and Varanasi, is poised for a global expansion. This year, the vibrant festival falls on a long weekend, further intensifying the growing trend of merging cultural celebrations with international travel. As more people look to experience this historic and colorful festival firsthand, data from Atlys reveals an unprecedented surge in visa applications for travel during Holi, both from Indians traveling abroad and from international tourists heading to India.
With 21% of Holi-related visa applications coming from Indian families and groups heading to popular destinations like Japan, Thailand, Dubai, and Singapore, the festival is igniting a wave of family travel. This surge marks a 27.2% year-over-year increase in family trips, as shorter work and school breaks create the perfect opportunity to blend cultural immersion with global exploration.
Simultaneously, India is seeing a significant increase in international visitors for the festival, with 13.2% of inbound visa applications for March 2025 tied to tourists eager to experience the electrifying atmosphere of Holi. This marks an 18% increase in inbound tourism for Holi, underscoring the growing importance of festival-based tourism.
Cities like Delhi and Pushkar are at the forefront of this surge, with travelers looking to explore not only the festival but also India’s rich cultur.
