1 week Ago By Kapil Dixit
1 2 Prayagraj: This summer, tour packages for foreign countries, particularly to destinations like European countries as well as Thailand, Dubai, Vietnam and the Maldives are experiencing a surge in demand from city-based travellers. Many travel agencies are offering packages to cater to different budgets and preferences. Interestingly, travellers are opting for budget travelling with options like flexible dates, off-season bookings, budget airlines.
No-frills stays, hostels and home rentals are popular choices. There is also a shift towards experiential travel, where unique local experiences matter more than expensive hotels. Ahead of the upcoming summer season, travel agencies and agents are flooded with customer's call and queries as local travellers have made their advanced bookings for international and domestic destinations for June and July.
This year, travel agencies witnessed a surge in international bookings, with travellers ready to shell out extra bucks to confirm their bookings. Travel industry executives told TOI, "There has been a steep 50% rise in international bookings, particularly to European countries this summer compared to previous year, as travellers want dates booked for their destinations." Rahul Khare, owner of a private travel firm, admitted, "This summer, travellers are keen on international destinations.
" With travellers finding more spots to explore in international destinations compared to domestic ones, bookings for international packages are witnessing a surge these days. Travellers want to go on domestic and international holiday tours, even if it is not their preferred destination. Those who fail to get bookings in hilly regions are ready to go to Goa, Pondicherry, Andaman & Nicobar, Gujarat, Kerala and other spots despite acknowledging the impact of the summer season.
Pankaj, a traveller who booked his family tour for Europe, told TOI, "Affordable rates and attractive packages have led to international bookings this summer." Similar views were echoed by Sandeep Bhargava, who booked his tour for the Maldives. Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Amarnath and the North East are in great demand on the domestic circuit, while those willing to go abroad are opting for Dubai, Maldives and Europe, Khare added.
While Dubai and Male topped bookings for June and July, UK, France and Switzerland have been leading choices for international tourists. Prayagraj: This summer, tour packages for foreign countries, particularly to destinations like European countries as well as Thailand, Dubai, Vietnam and the Maldives are experiencing a surge in demand from city-based travellers. Many travel agencies are offering packages to cater to different budgets and preferences.
Interestingly, travellers are opting for budget travelling with options like flexible dates, off-season bookings, budget airlines. No-frills stays, hostels and home rentals are popular choices. There is also a shift towards experiential travel, where unique local experiences matter more than expensive hotels.
Ahead of the upcoming summer season, travel agencies and agents are flooded with customer's call and queries as local travellers have made their advanced bookings for international and domestic destinations for June and July. This year, travel agencies witnessed a surge in international bookings, with travellers ready to shell out extra bucks to confirm their bookings. Travel industry executives told TOI, "There has been a steep 50% rise in international bookings, particularly to European countries this summer compared to previous year, as travellers want dates booked for their destinations.
" Rahul Khare, owner of a private travel firm, admitted, "This summer, travellers are keen on international destinations." With travellers finding more spots to explore in international destinations compared to domestic ones, bookings for international packages are witnessing a surge these days. Travellers want to go on domestic and international holiday tours, even if it is not their preferred destination.
Those who fail to get bookings in hilly regions are ready to go to Goa, Pondicherry, Andaman & Nicobar, Gujarat, Kerala and other spots despite acknowledging the impact of the summer season. Pankaj, a traveller who booked his family tour for Europe, told TOI, "Affordable rates and attractive packages have led to international bookings this summer." Similar views were echoed by Sandeep Bhargava, who booked his tour for the Maldives.
Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Amarnath and the North East are in great demand on the domestic circuit, while those willing to go abroad are opting for Dubai, Maldives and Europe, Khare added. While Dubai and Male topped bookings for June and July, UK, France and Switzerland have been leading choices for international tourists..
