Ahmedabad: As more people are vaccinated and Covid-19 cases remain under control, Diwali vacation bookings have started to pick up pace. Due to the high demand, the tariffs of four- and five-star hotels in tourist destinations have risen by a significant 50% during the Diwali vacation. While inquiries are good, given the uncertainty of the third wave, customers are asking for flexible cancellation policies.
“In all tourist destinations, the hotel industry has suffered a major blow thanks to the pandemic and limited travel. As Diwali holiday is in season, hotels have increased rates in response to increasing demand. While travelers are willing to pay the price, they are also looking for flexible cancellation and refund policies due to the looming threat of the third wave, ”said Anuj Pathak, president of the Association of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators of Gujarat (TAG).
In destinations like Himachal Pradesh, Goa and Uttarakhand, the five-star hotel rates, which are usually over 5,000 rupees per room per night, are now 8,000 to 10,000 rupees per room per night.
“Overall, the inquiries have skyrocketed and if the cases remain under control, the bookings will be good. Customers who normally go on vacation abroad also book domestic trips and so the industry will get a good boost this time around, ”said Pathak.
Travel agents point out that bookings have started not only for domestic vacation spots but even for international destinations such as Dubai, Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles that have opened to tourists. Popular domestic destinations are the northeast, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, and Leh-Ladakh.
Industry actors said vacation take-up in southern Indian states is relatively lower than Diwali.
“Since people are fully vaccinated, they are more confident about going on vacation than they were last year when the fear of Covid-19 was still there. Compared to the previous year, the reception is significantly better. Inquiries are increasing day by day and willingness to travel is increasing as various states have abolished the obligation for travelers to take RTPCR tests. This greatly reduces travel costs and so people are interested, ”said Virendra Shah, Chairman of the Travel Agents’ Association of India – Gujarat Chapter.
The bookings are good and people are getting more confident with the vaccination. Double-vaccinated passengers do not necessarily have to undergo RTPCR tests, making people travel comfortably as it reduces unwanted expenses.
Overall, tour operators said that travelers added to their budget as they are comfortable about the expense. “This time around, four- to five-star hotels are preferred and people are happy to spend as professional and business professionals have lost revenue,” said a city-based tour operator.
