The soaring temperatures across India are prompting tourists to seek cooler destinations, driving up demand for flights and hotels during what is typically not considered peak holiday season. According to industry experts, popular domestic destinations include Goa, Kashmir, Darjeeling, and Kerala, while internationally, travelers are opting for places like Dubai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Vietnam, Thailand, and Mauritius.
Bharatt Malik, Senior VP of Air and Hotel Business at Yatra Online, noted a significant increase in airfares compared to the previous year, with domestic fares rising by approximately 15-20% and international fares by around 20%. To avoid cost escalations, travelers are advised to plan and book their trips well in advance.
Similarly, Rikant Pittie, Co-founder of EaseMyTrip, highlighted the trend of opting for hilly destinations to escape the heat, resulting in increased demand and subsequent price hikes for flights and accommodations. Pittie mentioned that both domestic and international travel are on the rise, with destinations like Ooty, Srinagar, Manali, Goa, and various international locations seeing significant traction among Indian travelers.
However, the upcoming elections in Himachal Pradesh on June 1 may impact tourism in the region, as tourists are shifting their focus to destinations like Jammu and Kashmir. The timing of the elections, during the peak tourism season, has raised concerns among industry stakeholders, who feel that scheduling them for mid-May would have been more favorable.
