Cracker of a time for Diwali travellers on ATF price cuts

New Delhi: Tour operators are going out of their way to offer value-for-money travel packages this festive season as foreign tourists cancel bookings to destinations like Rajasthan, Kerala and Goa, owing to the global slowdown.
Several international airlines are now passing on the price cuts in aviation turbine fuel to consumers, which are helping tour operators to offer some discounts, even on international tour packages.
“Things have hit such a low that tour operators are even hardselling Goa and Kerala, which have been the two most expensive tourist spots in the country,” said a senior executive with a tour operator. Tour operators have no other option but to cash in on the festive sentiment to generate occupancies.
Traditionally, Diwali is the time when families like to stay at home and celebrate. According to Thomas Cook COO Vishal Suri, North Indians tend to stay at home and celebrate since they have shorter breaks. “But those in South and West India have longer breaks and like to travel, and one can cash in on the same,” he added.
Says SOTC chief operating officer Sunil Gupta said that even though tour operators have hiked prices for foreign destinations due to rupee devaluation, airfares as well as hotel tariffs have seen some marginal cuts abroad.
Cox and Kings spokesperson confirmed that tour operators are offering discounts.
Besides leisure destinations, hotels are also decreasing rates in metros in sync with the festive mood.
20/10/08 Meenakshi Verma Ambwani & Chanchal Pal Chauhan/Economic Times

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Oct 2008