Quick escapes over long trips! Indians opt for short-haul travel to Southeast Asia; demand for distant trips dips amid global tensions
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Short-haul destinations in Asia continue to attract Indian travellers despite a decline in long-distance travel since summer due to geopolitical issues. Countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal maintain their appeal, according to travel firms.
"While travellers have considered delaying or postponing plans, Southeast Asia has emerged as a go-to destination for those seeking familiar experiences. Countries like Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines have seen a 50% rise in bookings compared to last year," said Manjari Singhal, chief growth and business officer at Cleartrip, quoted by the Economic Times. "Additionally, airfares to Vietnam and Indonesia have dropped, making these destinations more accessible for budget conscious holidaymakers," she added.
Neeraj Singh Dev from Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel noted increased demand from late bookers for destinations offering visa-free or simplified entry, including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mauritius and Seychelles. "Our pipeline post reopening of schools shows continued momentum from the young professionals segment, especially for weekends and extended weekends," he added.
Shivansh Kalra chose Thailand for his holiday this month, attracted by reasonable flight prices, significant discounts on luxury hotels in Bangkok and Koh Samui, and the country's visa-free policy. "Flight fares were reasonably priced, there was no hassle of visa appointments and we got great discounts on some very luxurious hotels," he said.
Bharat Malik of Yatra Online attributes the sustained popularity of Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore among Indian travellers to their robust tourism infrastructure, cultural significance, and accessibility.
"These destinations have remained stable and unaffected by the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, making them a preferred choice at this time," he said. "Temporary airspace restrictions impacted certain long-haul routes, and flight durations increased by 2–4 hours due to rerouting of flights.
Airfares rose by nearly 15–20% on certain routes. This has naturally shifted traveller interest towards more cost-effective and shorter routes," he said, also quoted by ET.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives reports consistent bookings from India, according to commercial director Amjad Thaufeeg. "Maldives is still one of the top choices for Indian guests looking for a quick luxurious getaway and we have seen that demand stay consistent, especially from couples and families," he said. "We are also seeing advance bookings for the upcoming festive seasons, and many guests are booking earlier to secure their preferred villas and experiences," he added.
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