Travel Industry sees Spurt in Traffic during Christmas, New Year

What are your plans for Christmas and New Year this year? Will you be joining the growing number of people who ate taking advantage of the fact that the prices of travel packages for international destinations are either lower or at the same level as last year? Or that a number of new destinations are being promoted for Christmas and New Year, both of which incidentally fall on weekends?

According to Mr J.B. Singh, the President and Chief Executive Officer, Galileo India, there is likely to be a "spurt of 6-8 per cent" in traffic in December this year over the previous year. Industry analysts estimate that there has been a 10-15 per cent increase in the number of people seeking international holiday packages during this year's Christmas and New Year Breaks.

"Outbound is seeing a big change with people going beyond traditional choices like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur to more exotic locations including Hua Hin in Thailand, Vietnam, Bhutan and Cambodia," Mr Singh adds.

Another package, in the premium luxury range, that seems to be catching the fancy of the Indian market is winter cruises in the Antarctica and South America, Director - Group Business Development, STIC Travel Group, Ms Richa Goyal Sikri, says. Adds the Chief Operating Officer, Ezeego1.com, Ms Neelu Singh, "Apart from traditional tourist destinations like Dubai, Colombo and Malaysia, Cyprus is catching the interest of the Indian traveller." And then there are also the usual destinations with a few more attractions thrown in says Ms Sikri, "There are some really attractive holiday packages available to places like Hong Kong. Now a person can spend two nights and three days in Hong Kong with a tour to Disneyland for Rs 24,000." Analysts also point out that this spurt in traffic could be because of families that have not taken breaks during the year are now taking advantage of Christmas and New Year Vacations falling on weekends.

Besides, according to the Chief Operating Officer, Outbound Division Kuoni India, Ms Kashmira Commissariat, families going on holidays over long weekends is becoming a trend amongst Indians.

Source:
The Hindu Business Line
December 2009
Edition - New Delhi