Visa-free entry to Asian nations pushes up air fares
NEW DELHI: Near is far and far is near this winter holiday season. Hot favourite nearby international destinations like Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia have become ‘visamukt’ for desi travellers, pushing airfares to new highs. On the other hand, almost all international airlines (barring US) have resumed India connections in full force now and desi carriers have added flights abroad this winter that has led to fares to Europe and North America stop defying gravity.
As a result, while Delhi-Phuket economy return this Yuletide starts at Rs 50,000 (much more than than an average Rs 30,000 few months back), Delhi-London begin at Rs 70,000 (much less than almost Rs 90-95,000 this summer).
“In comparison to last year, all international airlines are operational for routes like Delhi-Dubai, or Saudi and to London, hence airfares for these sectors are down by 20-25%. On the other hand, airfares for popular Southeast Asian destinations like Vietnam, Thailand & Malaysia have more than doubled in comparison to last year for this period,” a spokesperson for travel portal Yatra says.
Travel Agents Federation of India VP Anil Kalsi says there is a “serious” demand for both domestic and international destinations this winter holiday. But “southeast Asia is the flavour of the season. Going visa free makes a lot of difference. Thai e-visa, for instance, used to cost about Rs 7,500. For a family of four that meant visa cost of ₹30,000. With that gone (and cheaper hotels), the demand has gone up for visa free destinations. For this reason, Malaysian Airlines’ recent sale saw a lot of takers,” Kalsi said, adding, “India is rocking.”
“Visa on arrival/easy and quick visa destinations are witnessing 30-40% higher demand including Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Dubai & Abu Dhabi,” said Daniel D’Souza, SOTC Travel’s president and country head.
Apart from seasonal travel, the wedding season has added to the demand leading to hiked hotel charges and airfares. Yatra Online senior VP (flights & hotel business) Bharatt Malik said: “Room tariffs are up by 20-25% due to bulk bookings related to wedding season. Hotel bookings have doubled, and airfares surge by 40-50% closer to travel dates.”
As a result, while Delhi-Phuket economy return this Yuletide starts at Rs 50,000 (much more than than an average Rs 30,000 few months back), Delhi-London begin at Rs 70,000 (much less than almost Rs 90-95,000 this summer).
“In comparison to last year, all international airlines are operational for routes like Delhi-Dubai, or Saudi and to London, hence airfares for these sectors are down by 20-25%. On the other hand, airfares for popular Southeast Asian destinations like Vietnam, Thailand & Malaysia have more than doubled in comparison to last year for this period,” a spokesperson for travel portal Yatra says.
Travel Agents Federation of India VP Anil Kalsi says there is a “serious” demand for both domestic and international destinations this winter holiday. But “southeast Asia is the flavour of the season. Going visa free makes a lot of difference. Thai e-visa, for instance, used to cost about Rs 7,500. For a family of four that meant visa cost of ₹30,000. With that gone (and cheaper hotels), the demand has gone up for visa free destinations. For this reason, Malaysian Airlines’ recent sale saw a lot of takers,” Kalsi said, adding, “India is rocking.”
“Visa on arrival/easy and quick visa destinations are witnessing 30-40% higher demand including Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Dubai & Abu Dhabi,” said Daniel D’Souza, SOTC Travel’s president and country head.
Apart from seasonal travel, the wedding season has added to the demand leading to hiked hotel charges and airfares. Yatra Online senior VP (flights & hotel business) Bharatt Malik said: “Room tariffs are up by 20-25% due to bulk bookings related to wedding season. Hotel bookings have doubled, and airfares surge by 40-50% closer to travel dates.”
