CHENNAI: Chennaiites prefer Jammu & Kashmir, Bali, Bangkok, Goa, Jaipur and Mumbai as their Valentine's Day destinations, show booking trends for this year.There is an average increase of 26% in bookings compared to previous year, say travel companies.Pre-depature e-visa offered by Thailand from February 14 is one of the reason for increased demand. Couples are opting for a three-day holiday though Valentine's Day fall mid-week this year. In addition to popular destinations, couples are also looking forward to travelling to destinations that offer adventure and exploration.A study conducted by Ixigo, shows that there is a 40% increase in bookings to Mumbai, 22% to Jaipur, 18% to Kolkata, 20% to Srinagar, 32% to Dehradun, and 10% to Bangkok, from Chennai, when compared to the same period last year.Aloke Bajpai, CEO & co-founder of Ixigo, said, "Beach destinations, both domestic and international, top the list for travellers planning short vacation this Valentine's Day. We have seen an average increase of 26% in bookings for destinations like Male, Bali, Goa, Mumbai and Jaipur."Karan Anand, head of relationships, Cox & Kings, said: "This Valentine's Day, besides beaches, couples want to explore jungles, deserts and hills. More than wine and dine, active holidays are in demand among young couples."This includes sailing at the Getaway of India, in Mumbai, exploring Pondicherry, cycling at Hampi and Coorg, watersports in Andamans, wildlife safari in Dudhwa, Sundarban and Kabini, exploring offbeat spots at Goa and Ladakh on bikes, and camping in Rann of Kutch. Sri Lanka, Dubai and Bali are among overseas destinations.Neelu Singh, CEO & director, Ezeego1, said, "Couples are venturing out into the chill of winter for thrilling experiences. Dubai, Thailand, Bali and Maldives are the most preferred romantic destinations, while Andamans, Himachal Pradesh, Rann of Kutch and Coorg are the preferred nearby destinations.In spite of Valentine's Day falling on a weekday this year, the demand for romantic getaways around this date remains as good as previous year.

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