The rising cost of travel hasn’t dampened people’s holiday travelling spirit, with the number of those planning trips during winter and New Year’s not reducing despite increased fares.
Travellers are preferring instead to cut down on their shopping expenditure, opt for budget carriers and reduce the number of vacation days.
“Rupee depreciation has brought tourism in India to the fore, with the approaching winter season seeing a dramatic surge in domestic demand. Andamans, Kerala, Goa, North-East India, Rajasthan and Kashmir are the most preferred destinations,” said Rajeev Kale, COO-MICE, Domestic, Sport holidays and Cruises, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd.
For those opting for foreign travel, Europe, US, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Macau, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Philippines are among the top destinations, said insiders.
President of Yatra.com Sharad Dhall said an average traveller is spending anywhere between Rs25,000 and Rs50,000 for a five-to-10-day trip.
Tourism industry insiders said people are continuing to travel and making efforts to save elsewhere, such as flying by low-cost carriers or using other cheaper modes of transport.
“Curtailing their shopping expenses and cutting down on the number of days are the other steps travellers are taking,” said Iqbal Mulla, president, Travel Agents Association of India.
According to an estimate generated from travel agents, around 75% inquiries are for domestic travel and the rest for international.
