Revenge travel: This is one of the main trends in the post-pandemic world. While the trend continues, foreign holidays are all the rage among Indians these days. This is reflected in recent data released by the Reserve Bank of India: International travel is the top reason Indians spend money abroad in FY2022. To be sure, this includes business travel as well, but empirical data and the ubiquitous Instagram photos of people from foreign lands clearly point to the trend of more and more Indians going abroad for holidays.
Revenge travel: This is one of the main trends in the post-pandemic world. While the trend continues, foreign holidays are all the rage among Indians these days. This is reflected in recent data released by the Reserve Bank of India: International travel is the top reason Indians spend money abroad in FY2022. To be sure, this includes business travel as well, but empirical data and the ubiquitous Instagram photos of people from foreign lands clearly point to the trend of more and more Indians going abroad for holidays.
But it’s a damper for those looking to banish wanderlust this year. Prices are soaring as travel demand increases. The cost of travel to popular international destinations such as Europe and the United States has soared.For example, the price of a round-trip air ticket from Mumbai to Paris has risen by around 50% over the past year and is now hovering around ¥80,000 per person. This fare applies to Economy Class passengers on direct flights on the route and allows at least one piece of checked baggage.
But it’s a damper for those looking to banish wanderlust this year. Prices are soaring as travel demand increases. The cost of travel to popular international destinations such as Europe and the United States has soared.For example, the price of a round-trip air ticket from Mumbai to Paris has risen by around 50% over the past year and is now hovering around ¥80,000 per person. This fare applies to Economy Class passengers on direct flights on the route and allows at least one piece of checked baggage.
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Ajay Awtaney, founder of LiveFromALounge.com (LFAL), a website focused on aviation and travel in India, said airfares to Europe have risen an average of 70 per cent in the past two years. “Capacity is limited (in terms of airline fleets) and there’s a lot of demand for people who want to fly. So airlines are pricing tickets higher, but those tickets are still hot,” he said.
“Middle East routes – from New Delhi to Dubai or Bengaluru to Dubai – have also increased by 40-50% compared to last year. A round trip from New Delhi to Dubai costs about ¥24,000 last year.it’s about ¥This year it is 35,000-40,000,” said Aloke Bajpai, co-founder and group CEO of ixigo.
The same goes for the trend in hotel prices. “Hotel prices in Paris are up about 20% year-on-year compared to before the pandemic. The price of a single bed in a shared dorm in a hostel has more than doubled,” said Jimeet, founder of travel blog outofficedaku.
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A rough calculation suggests that a couple planning to visit Europe in June will need to spend approximately ¥280,000-350,000 for an 8-day trip including refundable airfare and visa fees). Don’t forget that from July onwards, foreign travel packages and all international transactions via foreign exchange and debit cards (the government has not clarified the use of credit cards) will be charged 20% TCS (tax at source), which will significantly Add to your upfront costs.
But higher costs aren’t a reason to put international travel on hold. Instead, you can choose to change destinations – destinations that enrich your travel experience and cost less for airfare and accommodation. Plus, being smart about food and local commuting can keep your overall costs down. Mint Here are some travel tips for you to enjoy a great international vacation this summer.
think carefully
Currently, for Indians, the countries of Southeast Asia (SEA) are a perfect substitute for Europe and the US.The places are much closer together, the visa guide for Indians is easier, and the airfare and accommodation cost almost half of some popular European destinations (see picture)In addition, hotel tariffs and air ticket prices in these countries have risen only marginally this year, as travel restrictions on Chinese residents that have so far driven local tourism demand have not been fully lifted.
Travel agencies and online booking portals point to affordable air tickets to Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Maldives as the top choice for Indians for the coming season. “We have seen a significant increase in bookings in Southeast Asian countries this summer. Airfares are currently higher compared to pre-pandemic levels, with domestic fares up 25-30% and international fares on some European routes as high as 60-70% .Therefore, destinations such as Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam are an attractive option for Indian tourists looking for affordable exotic holidays,” Bajpai said.
Jimmy attributed the surge in European hotel prices to the strengthening of the euro against the dollar. “Local hoteliers have raised prices to earn more revenue from American tourists, but this has translated into higher tariffs for Indian citizens because the rupee has weakened against the dollar,” he said.
Visa Fees and Restrictions
Given the current waiting periods and restrictions on visas in most western countries, this is a parameter that travelers should not ignore when planning their vacation. The waiting period for an appointment for a Schengen visa is two to three months. For the US it is much higher at six to nine months. Also, neither visa is guaranteed.
“The refusal rate has decreased this year, but there is still a risk. This has prompted families to think that if their visa is refused, they will lose ¥The visa fee alone is 40,000-50,000. And, if they booked a non-refundable ticket, the entire ticket is lost,” Jimeet said.
Larger groups should focus on countries that offer cheaper visas and fewer entry restrictions.For example, visa fees in Japan are almost negligible ¥500 and Hong Kong allow less than 14 days of free pre-arrival registration, which means airfare and accommodation budgets spent in these destinations will open up for you.Similarly, visa fees for Vietnam, Cambodia and Bali are less than ¥3,000, which makes it easier to pocket.
News reports suggest that Egypt will soon allow Indians to obtain visas on arrival for a fee of ¥2,060, which is lower than the current fee ¥8,473.
Alternatives to hotels and taxis
Vacation rentals and BnBs (bed and breakfast) are cheaper options than hotels. If you occasionally want to save money, the fully equipped kitchen in the apartment also allows you to cook your own meals. Sure, vacations are for relaxation, but when you’re traveling for longer than two to three weeks, cooking at least one meal at a BnB can save you around 50-70% per meal.
Vacation apartments make more economical sense for larger groups than single travelers or even couples, since the apartments are often rented out as a unit.For example, a two-bedroom apartment for five people in Bangkok sells for about ¥8,200 per night, it’s a good deal for big groups where the cost is coming ¥1,640 head per person. However, a couple is better off staying in a hotel.
You’ll also save money on local commutes in countries like Japan and Thailand that have reliable public transport networks, so you don’t have to hire taxis for intercity travel. However, despite offering some of the cheapest Bnb options among its Southeast Asian counterparts, this is not the case in Bali. Here, you can save money on accommodation and make room for a comfortable taxi trip. In Dubai, it is better to rent a car and drive yourself, as fuel is cheap there. Make sure you do your research on the fastest and cheapest ways to travel rather than relying blindly on taxis from travel agencies and hotels.
