Holi 2026: Short-term loan applications jump 30% as travel drives demand

• Short-term personal loan applications surged 30% ahead of Holi 2026, with an average ticket size of ₹40,000-₹50,000.
• Travel is the primary reason for borrowing, followed by gifting and home celebrations, indicating planned experiences over emergency needs.
• Tier 2 and 3 cities account for over 55% of festive credit demand, showcasing deeper digital credit adoption beyond metros.
• Flight bookings for Holi week increased 70-75% YoY, with Gorakhpur (94%) and Bhopal (89%) leading growth in smaller cities.
• Leisure destinations like Udaipur (94%), Dehradun (90%), and Srinagar (85%) saw significant booking increases, alongside metro cities like Ahmedabad (118%) and Hyderabad (108%).