Agree or not, taking respite has become every Mumbaikar’s fundamental need. From working beyond work hours to spending the remaining free hours dealing with personal life issues, most city residents live with stress. According to online travel agency Expedia.com's 2014 Vacation Deprivation report, Mumbai was one of the most vacation-deprived cities in the country. The report also stated that Mumbaikars enjoyed working more instead of taking vacations.

However, over the years, many Mumbaikars have begun to take vacations quite often. Weekend getaways have gained momentum, especially among the young.  
Pratik Mazumder, chief marketing officer, Mahindra Holidays and Resorts India Limited reflects on the same. “In today’s time, especially in a fast-paced and chaotic city like Mumbai, allocating time for oneself is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for fostering a healthier and happier life.”  

According to him, Mumbaikars generally prefer to travel to nearby destinations such as Lonavala, Alibaug, Mahabaleshwar, Hatgad, etc. for a short vacation to seek a temporary escape from the urban chaos, especially during long weekends. 

He says, “In recent times, there has been a notable transformation in India's tourism sector, witnessing a substantial shift towards the popularity of domestic travel and weekend getaways. Traditionally, international destinations held sway as the preferred choice for Indian tourists seeking novel experiences. However, the landscape has evolved, placing domestic travel at the forefront. The surge in domestic tourism and weekend retreats is remarkable, with projections indicating that 300 million individuals are expected to embark on domestic trips in 2023, and 100 million are anticipated to indulge in weekend getaways.”  

Mazumder further adds, “Several factors, including the rise in disposable income, more affordable air travel and other modes of transportation, heightened awareness of India's diverse tourism offerings, and the increased use of social media and online travel booking platforms, collectively contribute to this shifting trend. At Club Mahindra, we have witnessed high occupancy rates during long weekends and the festive season.”  

Mid-day Online also got in touch with a few city residents who share why they love taking vacations and how they plan their weekend getaways. The experiences they shared are a testament to the details offered by Mazumder.  

Good food, sightseeing, maximum relaxation
Fatema Vagher, a copywriter by profession takes a vacation once every month. “Apart from helping me with stress, taking vacations gives me a chance to break away from the mundane routine. On my vacation, I love to explore new places. I find it enriching.”  

A typical weekend getaway for Fatema involves a short trip to any nearby hill station, playing board games and cards with friends, picturesque drives, sightseeing, exploring new food joints, relaxing and chilling. This helps the city residents to re-energise. Fatema loves to take trips with her husband. The couple’s last short vacation was to Goa. “The experience was unforgettable because it was my first time visiting Goa. For a long time, I wanted to know what the hype about Goa was all about. I must say, the place is worth the hype. I had a great time,” reminisces this traveller.  

While Fameta loves to explore different destinations from time to time, her go-to for a quick weekend getaway is Lonavla. “It’s just two hours away from Mumbai and we have a few friends who have their beautiful properties, so it just makes planning easier.”  The next stop for the Fatema is Pondicherry where she plans on celebrating New Year’s Eve with her husband. 

Less travel time, spontaneous plans and lots of family time