Flying to Kullu? Thailand trip will cost the same

Mumbai: If you plan to book a holiday within the country and hope to get some good low-fare deals, then be prepared for a rather unpleasant reality check and a Plan B.
The promises made by airlines about offering low fares seem to have evaporated as airfares soar to a new high, bringing domestic travel on a par with a trip to southeast Asia. This trend is making more and more Indian tourists opt for an international holiday this summer, say travel experts.
Travel agents, who usually do brisk business with domestic sector tickets during the summer, have booked up to 50% more on international routes this time. Though travel has been less compared to last season due to the slowdown, international holidays are fast emerging as an economically viable option vis-a-vis domestic travel, say the experts.
For instance, the price of a one-way journey to Kullu can fetch one a trip to Thailand. Similarly, while a round trip to Goa will cost around Rs 8,000-9,000, Jet Airways and Air India are offering a Bangkok return trip for Rs 11,000. A round trip to Bagdogra (closest airport to Darjeeling, West Bengal) will cost Rs 25,000 even as Gulf carriers are offering a Mumbai-London trip at Rs 27,000.
"We are selling tickets to Manali for Rs 9,000. This is enough for a person to visit Thailand, Malaysia or Bangkok,'' said Vasuki Sundaram, chairperson, Travel Agents' Federation of India (TAFI). "Though flights to cooler places like Leh and Ladakh will still fly packed, the number of passengers for these places will not rise now due to the jump in fares. The high fares on domestic sectors are a major deterrent, and many people are therefore going for international travel. Along with competitive fares, the cost of lodging in southeast Asia is also cheaper.''
European countries like Greece and Turkey, too, are emerging as favoured holiday destinations. "The Turkish tourism board has generated considerable hype in the market. As part of a short promotion, return air tickets were provided for Rs 23,000. Apart from this, one can also combine a Greece-Turkey trip for a similar price,'' said Rajesh Rateria, managing director of Cirrus Travels, who has booked at least 20% more on international sectors then domestic.
Anup Kanuga, chairman of Travel Agents' Association of India (TAAI), said bookings on international sectors were as much as 50% higher than on domestic routes.
So, what is the reason behind this trend? Travel experts believe that the clout of Indian carriers in the domestic skies is dictating higher prices for air travel within the country. To add to this, the capacity remains limited as not all carriers operate on all routes.
11/05/09 Chinmayi Shalya/Times of India

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Categories: Foreign May 2009, Indian Aviation- In General May 2009