Delhi’s deteriorating winter air quality has unexpectedly turned into a huge opportunity for the hospitality sector, as residents of the capital are escaping to cleaner destinations across India. Hotels, resorts, villas, and workcation retreats in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, and even nearby Karnal are reporting a sharp rise in bookings driven almost entirely by Delhi NCR travellers, according to industry executives who spoke to Moneycontrol.
A surge in bookings from Delhi NCR
Naukuchia House, a collaborative property by Indian Hotels (IHCL) and Leisure Hotels, revealed that nearly 70% of their recent reservations are from Delhi NCR. General Manager Sanjeev Kumar said there has been a noticeable rise in Delhi guests choosing the property to get away from the worsening smog. Many are returning for longer, more peaceful stays, favouring rooms offering forest or lake views.
Mussoorie’s Jaypee Residency Manor is witnessing its highest demand from Delhi travellers, driven by the property’s altitude and open natural surroundings, shared GM Piiyush Kapoor. Similarly, Radisson Blu Pune Hinjawadi noted an increase in Delhi-based bookings right after Diwali.
In Karnal, around 25% of bookings at Noormahal Group are now from the capital. CMD Col. Manbeer Choudhary explained that many families are even relocating weddings and major events to areas with significantly cleaner air.
Clean-air tourism becomes a trend
For many Delhiites, Goa has emerged as a preferred destination. Vikram Puri, a Delhi resident and Managing Director of Archer Hospitality, said that the state’s clean air and AQI below 50 have become a major attraction. His Goa property, Astor Goa, currently hosts 65–100 guests from Delhi seeking relief from pollution.
The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group also reported a steep increase in Delhi tourists across their leisure properties nationwide. Moustache Hotels, which operates in Himachal and Uttarakhand, has seen a 15% rise in reservations—primarily due to Delhi travellers.
Villas and private stays are also gaining strong traction. Lohono Stays by Isprava Group and SaffronStays both reported that 22–30% of their bookings come from Delhi NCR, with demand spiking sharply whenever air quality worsens. Guests now explicitly request “clean air, trees, and quiet,” shared Maulik Bhagat, Founder of 1000 Island Hotels & Resorts.
Aahana Resort in Jim Corbett also reported changing guest intent—where trips are no longer vacations but necessary escapes. Repeat visits from Delhi form a major part of their business, said CMO Avni Tripathi.
Top destinations for Delhi travellers
Goa leads the list, followed closely by Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir for Lohono Stays. Hostel chain The Hosteller said Delhi tourists make up about 8–10% of their total bookings, with significantly higher shares in Rishikesh, Manali, Kasol, Dharamshala, Bhagsu, and Mussoorie—ranging from 15% to 25%.
Forward bookings hit a high
Forward bookings have jumped by 25–30% compared to last year, especially with long weekends and the Christmas–New Year period approaching.
How long are people staying?
Most Delhi travellers stay for 2–3 nights, though work-from-anywhere professionals are booking longer stays. Workcation-friendly towns like Bir, Shoja, and Dharamkot have seen weekday booking surges. Some guests are even staying for a month for a complete lifestyle shift.
Who is travelling the most?
Families make up the majority of Delhi’s bookings, followed by corporate groups, friend circles, and couples—many of whom plan spontaneous trips whenever the AQI spikes.
When did the surge begin?
Hotels report that the rise began just before Diwali and intensified through late October as Delhi’s AQI entered the severe category. Since then, enquiries and bookings have climbed every week, surpassing previous years’ trends.