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Europe turns favourite holiday destination for Mumbaikars this summer

Chill out: 22 per cent fall in euro has brought down airfare to European nations; accommodation and other expenses too have become more affordable

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Cost of air travel from Mumbai to Paris and back cheaper than a city-Delhi return ticket. Unbelievable it may sound, but a falling euro and a strong rupee have made it possible. And Mumbaikars are making the most of the opportunity.

If Air France is offering city-Paris return tickets for Rs32,500, one can fly to most capital cities in Europe for less than Rs35,000. There is more for holidayers – Turkish Airlines is offering connections to over 100 European cities for as less as Rs40,000.

Thanks to the market dynamics between a strong rupee and a weak euro, the exchange rate has dipped over 22 per cent, from an all-time high of Rs85 a year ago to just Rs 66 now. As a result, scores of Indian tourists and packing their bags to head for places like the Swiss Alps or Venice or some idyllic countryside in Denmark.

From sub-40,000 fares last seen in 2010 to sub-5,000 hotel rooms, Europe is turning out to be a total value destination this year. "Where currencies of other foreign holiday destinations like Singapore, Thailand and Australia have remained steady or even gone up, as in the case of US dollar, euro's depreciation vis-a-vis the rupee has certainly made Europe an attractive destination for Indian tourists," says Vijaya Hariharan of Travel Consultants.

Hariharan said the trend is reflected in the number of first-time Europe-bound holidayers this year. "When you get a flight to Singapore for Rs30,000 and a typical 5-day holiday for a family of four costs Rs 3 lakh, it's an obvious choice to head for Europe for the same price."

According to industry observers, while an estimated 5 lakh Mumbaikars holidayed in Europe in the summer of 2014, the number is expected to go up to 6 lakh this year. "Germany has always been known for being an affordable destination among Indians. Due to fall in euro rate, it has become all the more lucrative in terms of accommodation, entries of attractions at amusement parks, famous zoos, museums, city welcome cards and rail passes," said Romit Theophilus, director sales & marketing, German National Tourist Office, adding that the scenario is great news for people as they can choose a destination in Europe over a far east country.

Meanwhile, with the Swiss franc also falling about 15 per cent from the all-time high of Rs72 in February this year, Switzerland continues to be a hot spot for the premium Indian tourist.

"We are flooded with queries and bookings for the summer," says Toovey Abraham, CEO, Swisstours, adding that 40 per cent of the bookings are from repeat travellers and the special promotions have made Switzerland an even more attractive European destination this year.

"We are expecting one lakh Mumbaikars to travel to Switzerland this year," says Ritu Sharma, deputy director, Switzerland Tourism.

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