It's raining travel packages

Jaipur: While the sensex has turned bullish in the last two days, the travel trends are yet to witness a surge this summer. Hit by a global slowdown, travellers from mid-market segment are now lapping up luxury travel at affordable prices. With five-star hotels offering rooms at the price of a three star, the summer mantra is — “We’ve all seen it in the movies, now let’s check out if it’s true.”
From one child free, all inclusive Hilton packages to Switzerland, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, return air fare etc to free spas, Jacuzzi, have been lined up for the globe-trotter. Airlines too, have great packages up their sleeves, from 60% discount on domestic tickets booked 30 days in advance to free travel insurance and cash back up to 40% in any hotel in India.
According to tour operators, the number of American and European tourists have dropped by almost 70% in Singapore-Malaysia sector and hence India seems to be grabbing everybody’s attention. With prices of international destinations dipping by 35%, the mid-segment Indian traveller is opting for short hauls at international destinations over conventional domestic ones.
Travel sites have an array of attractive deals for the Indian traveller. The Far East Summer Bonanza at Arzoo.com, Sabeer Bhatia’s travel portal offers a five-day break in Thailand all inclusive with airfare, airport taxes and hotel at just Rs 20,900 and four-day all inclusive break at Singapore for just Rs 31,000.
On the other hand, Yatra.com is offering a Thai Magic two-night package at Rs 19,380 against Rs.34,299 in 2008.
20/05/09 Rachna Singh/Times of India

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General May 2009