An unmatched rise in demand for travel with the approaching winter has been ramming the airfares and hotel tariffs to a record level high. With the world getting to a state of normal and the covid in the country declining, people have been becoming more confident to travel each passing day. The demand for travel has been substantially increasing every month and the travel industry foresees the graph of this surge to cross the conventional holiday season.
The Reason Behind Increase in Demand
Romil Pant, India senior vice-president (leisure travel) told that domestic travel in September 2021 increased around four times in comparison to September 2019 and was growing at an increasing pace. He also said that as most of the international destinations are still closed to Indian travelers, the revenue from domestic travel has increased to 40% as compared to a mere 15% pre-covid. Furthermore, he added that the outbound travel is still at 50-55% of the pre-pandemic level, however, domestic travel is increasing by 300%.
Manav Soni, chairman of the Travel Agents’ Association of India informed that the flights are already going full and fares for December at this time of the year are at a record level. He also added that the fares of domestic flights are twice the usual and on international flights is around three times.
Places like Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Goa and Andaman, and Nicobar are the most popular domestic destinations and Maldives, Dubai, Egypt, Russia, France, Germany, and Switzerland are international destinations with high demand. Pant also added that the demand for honeymoon travel has been increasing constantly as the couples who got married in the past eighteen months have not been able to travel till now due to Covid norms.
One of the major reasons behind increasing travel costs is also the addition of Covid SOP compliance and travel cover. Insurance has been increased by up to 15-20% including Covid coverage. Also, it is to be noted the travel options are open for only fully vaccinated citizens.