It is difficult to say what is attracting Amdavadis to Alaska this summer — the laughable remarks of former Governor and US presidential candidate Sarah Palin or the wish to see grizzly bears catching salmon — but people are surely going there in large numbers.
The spike in the summer heat on Friday seems to have added to their numbers, despite the cost involved. “Alaska cruises cost more than Rs3 lakh per person. Yet people are gung-ho about them. It is perhaps the sudden rise in temperature which has made icy Alaska so attractive,” said Sanjay Shah, owner of Flamingo Travels.
Shah added that the other place that is popular among Amdavadis seeking relief from the summer heat is Canada which, of course, shares its border with Alaska.
Talking about domestic tours, Shah said that Bhutan is the number one choice this year. “It is Bhutan’s happiness index — the country is ranked number one in the world on this index — that has made it the preferred choice of many tourists,” he said. Dhaval Baxi, GM sales, SOTC, also said that the US territory in the Arctic was a favourite with Amdavadi tourists this summer.
“Alaska is the ‘hot’ destination for Amdavadis this year. People are indifferent about the cost involved. They just want to go there. Some, however, are opting for driving expeditions across Europe, particularly through Italy and Spain,” he said. Baxi further said that because of its architectural marvels, Turkey was also picking up fast as a tourist destination and among domestic destinations Kashmir had recovered some of its earlier appeal.
Slashed hotel rates in Switzerland and softening of US visa rules for tourists are the main reasons why these two nations continue to be attractive as tourist destinations, said Manish Sharma, MD, Akshar Travels Pvt Ltd.
“Amdavadis love cold places during summer. Hence Switzerland is popular. With the US relaxing visa norms, people are booking for cruises in Bahamas and Alaska. Other popular international destinations are Prague and Vienna,” Sharma said.
