With boom in realty and financial markets, a corresponding upward trend in travel market is distinctly seen.
The Gujarat state's travel market sees 80% surge in travel inquiries, 40% rise in bookings this season than the last year It seems that Gujaratis can't get enough of South Africa this year.
The host of the FIFA World Cup, the African nation is in demand again as the new destination for Diwali vacations. During the World Cup, only a few could make it to SA. However, those Gujaratis who could not visit SA then, are planning to go there for their Diwali holidays. The demand for Far East and Dubai has also upped as compared to
last year.
With boom in realty and financial markets, a corresponding upward trend in travel market is distinctly seen. As compared to last year, the tourism market this year has registered an increase of 80% in number of pre-Diwali booking inquiries and has noted a 40% jump in the number of bookings too.
The increase is due to the changing trends in celebrating festivals. No longer anyone wear traditional clothes, eat sweets, bust fire crackers or take blessings from the elders on Diwali. Today, Diwali means wear casuals, back pack and travel.
Saumil Desai, from Escape travel agency said, "The publicity that SA got during the FIFA World Cup was huge and majority of the inquiries for travel plans from the state are for SA."
With the availability of easy flight routes to SA and special attractions that SA's tourism board has announced particularly for Indian travellers, has made it one of the prime vacation destinations this year. "The costs for air tickets and accommodations have lowered by 20% for South Africa compared to previous year which is also an added attraction," added Desai.
The cost for a 10-day trip in SA ranges from Rs1.25 lakh to 2 lakh per person.
High cost has always been a deterrent factor. In this case too, it diverted a majority of the inquiries for South Africa to Malaysia, Indonesia, Macau and Hongkong and in Far East and Dubai, informed Sanjeev Chajjar from Cox and Kings, a travel agency.
"Majority of those who are on a first international trip with their families settle for cheaper destinations in Far East. About 40% of the total bookings for foreign destinations from the state this time are first-time travellers," he added.
With regard to the domestic scenario, Kerala and Goa remains the favourite destinations for tourists in India, informed Rasul Bombaywala from PCFL, a travel agency.
"Kerala has come out with attractive offers of 5-night vacations costing Rs15,000," he added. The bookings for Goa are full and the last minute rush for Rajasthan has already started mounting, sources informed.
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