Singapore
Of the 6.3 million tourists who will visit Singapore in 2022, Indian tourists will account for 680,000, making it the second largest source market after Indonesia. Given the country’s enormous potential, this year, the Singapore Tourism Board and its industry partners have launched a series of limited-time promotions, in addition to staging roadshows and promoting the country as a wedding and engagement destination. Kuldip Sondhi of Sondhi Travels in Jalandhar said most European countries were still inaccessible due to a lack of visa appointment dates, and Singapore, with its attractions such as Gardens by the Bay, Botanic Gardens and Singapore Zoo, had become the capital of the country. Season’s preferred family travel destination. Reserve a day for the many excursions that Sentosa Beach has to offer.
Exchange rate: 1 Singapore dollar (Singapore dollar) = 61 rupees
best time to visit Year round, although June and July are still busy
Switzerland
From appointing Indian sports icon Neeraj Chopra as its friendship ambassador to teaming up with tennis legend Roger Federer and stand-up comedian Trevor Noah for a train travel ad, Switzerland Tourism is doing everything it can to attract tourists, especially Indian tourists. Considering that many of Yash Chopra’s hit films were shot in these picturesque landscapes, it’s not that Switzerland is foreign territory. Availability of visa appointments remains a stimulus, while higher costs due to a falling rupee have been a dampener. But apart from taking the train to Jungfraujoch, on top of Europe, there is nothing stopping Indians from flocking to tourist destinations like Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken and Mount Titlis.
Exchange rate: 1 euro = 89 rupees
best time to visit June to August
Indonesia
One of the most searched destinations on popular international travel site Kayak is Denpasar, Bali’s bustling capital, said Tarun Tahiliani, the site’s country manager for India. Its stunning coastline, local markets, cultural sites, temples, lively festivities and local hospitality make the Indonesian islands’ moderate climate extremely attractive to tourists. Aside from the visa-on-arrival facility for Indians, the nine-plus-hour flight doesn’t stop this affordable Indian vacation. Cycling along the rice fields of Ubud, indulge in sea sports on the white sandy beaches of Kuta, have lunch on the cliffside in Kintamani, bathe in the natural hot springs of Batur, or watch a traditional Ulua at sunset Figure Kecak fire dance performance.
Exchange rate: Rs 1 = 181.3 IDR (Indonesian Rupiah)
best time to visit April to October
Thailand
In 2022, Thailand’s second largest number of tourists after Malaysia will come from India. Thailand has revised its target to 2 million after expecting 1.4 million tourists from India earlier this year. In addition to visa-on-arrival facilities and affordable accommodation, even direct flights to Bangkok from second- and third-tier cities in India have added to the popularity of the archipelago. Besides Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi are also the most popular places. The country also offers pet-friendly accommodations on many of its beaches. So, if you are planning a vacation abroad, you can bring your favorite family members along!
Exchange Rate: 1 THB (Thai Baht) = Rs 2.39
best time to visit November to April
United Arab Emirates
The recently released report for the first quarter of 2023 by the Dubai Ministry of Economy and Tourism showed that Dubai had the highest number of international tourists at 610,000, including those from India. Gagan Sachdeva of IV Holidays said Dubai remained the most popular tourist destination year-round, even in the heat of June. Despite temperatures hovering between 35ºC and 40ºC, tourists still can’t stop tourists from visiting Dubai, home to the world’s tallest man-made structure, the Burj Khalifa, at 2,716.5 feet above sea level. Everything worth exploring – whether it’s Ski Dubai Snow Park, diving Atlantis, the underwater zoo at The Dubai Mall, and more – is indoors. No wonder tourists find it hard to resist off-season discounts on flights, hotels and shopping, even in the height of summer.
Exchange Rate: 1 AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham) = Rs 22.48
best time to visit November to April
U.K.
Announcement from the British High Commission Travelers from India will be granted tourist visas within two weeks in December, allowing Indians to head straight to the UK for visits this summer. According to visitbritain.com, the official UK tourism website, 33% of Indian tourists visit the UK again within 10 years. London, Edinburgh, Bath, Glasgow, the Cotswolds, the Lake District, Giant’s Causeway, Stonehenge, Loch Ness, and the university towns of Oxford and Cambridge remain the top choices for those traveling to the UK.
Exchange rate: 1 British pound (British pound) = 102 rupees
best time to visit June to August
Vietnam
Since opening its borders to international tourists in March last year, Vietnam has become one of the most sought-after holiday destinations for Indian tourists, especially thanks to convenient visa policies and many direct flights with travel times of nearly five hours. The country is divided into three regions, North, Central and South, offering multiple terrains that can be covered in a week. The glitzy malls and skyscrapers of vibrant Ho Chi Minh City offer a modern take on Vietnam, while the capital, Hanoi, with its ancient neighborhoods and narrow alleyways, offers an authentic glimpse into Vietnamese life and culture. In between is the city of Da Nang on the east coast, often referred to as the tourism capital of south-central Vietnam.
Exchange rate: 1 rupee = 284.43 Vietnamese Dong (Vietnamese Dong)
best time to visit Open all year round
turkey
Its vibrant culture, easy visa facilities, extensive connectivity and rich history of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires have made Turkey (now officially known as Turkiye) a new favorite holiday destination for Indian tourists. Istanbul, Cappadocia and Antalya are the most popular tourist destinations. Growing familiarity with Turkish foods such as kebabs, shawarma, falafel and baklava, popular in Indian restaurants, has fueled the popularity of this Mediterranean region. In 2022, the country will receive 230,000 Indian tourists. Indian passport holders with Schengen, US, UK and Irish visas or residence permits are eligible for a Turkish eVisa, which can be obtained online in just a few minutes.
Exchange rate: 1 TRY (Turkish lira) = 4.13 rupees
best time to visit April-May, September-November
Norway
Probably one of the most underrated travel destinations in the world is Norway. The people of this Nordic country have been rated as one of the happiest countries on earth. Breathtaking fjords, breathtaking cliffs, spectacular waterfalls and lakes make this Scandinavian country a natural beauty. From hiking in the picturesque mountains, to fishing expeditions in the colorful Lofoten Islands, to shopping in the capital Oslo, in addition to Bergen’s UNESCO heritage buildings, this midnight sun place will keep you alert. The country’s restaurants pride themselves on serving tempting breakfast platters. Don’t miss a train journey on the Flåm Railway route.
Exchange rate: 1 euro = 89 rupees
best time to visit June to August
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s Almaty, which has the feel of a European country but at a much lower cost, is attracting holidaymakers, says Neeraj Malhotra of Ganpati Travels in Delhi. A mere 3.15 hour flight from Delhi and a weaker currency than ours, plus 14 days of visa-free travel add to its USP. The centuries-old close ties to Russia are evident in its Soviet-era architecture. This ethnically and culturally diverse city is the largest and most developed in Kazakhstan, with plenty to do. From Russian baths to traditional Kazakh cuisine to gleaming malls and wild nightclubs, the city has it all.
Exchange rate: 1 rupee = 5.4 KZT (Kazakhstani tenge)
best time to visit June to September
Compiled by Seema Sachdeva and designed by Mandeep Dhir.Photo: Istock
