Indian based hotels and travel portals are planning to cash in on the potential consumers with impressive and luring short break deals and discounts prior to Diwali.
Regarding this, the Chief Executive Officer at ixigo.com, Aloke Bajpai claimed that trip planning company has witnessed about 10 to 15 percent increased searches this year, especially during the Diwali weekend. He states that usually people go to their home for Diwali, but this time the behavior is changing and searches and bookings for leisure destinations such as Goa andMysoreare increasing.
Internet based tour operators such as Yatra.com has witnessed a short trip business jumpb by over 200 percent as compared to the last year. Regarding this, Sharat Dhall, President of Yatra.com said that usually long weekend trips are easy for consumers as they are lighter on the pocket ranging between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000 per individual; depending on the destination. The company has witnessed increased bookings for leisure destinations such asGoa, Shimla, Mahabaleshwar and Corbett and the rates are pretty high between 100 and 300 percent this year.
Popular portal, Cleartrip has seen a twice fold increase of bookings for Diwali leisure travel this year. Though Goa continues to rule when it comes to holiday spots, others such as Munnar and Thekkady have also come up as surprise entries in the top destinations list during the Diwali season, claims Samyukth Sridharan, President and Chief Operating Officer of Cleartrip.
Starwood, American hospitality firm owning brands including Four Points by Sheraton and Westin provides discounts at its Navi Mumbai, Pune and Sohna properties. Also, resort destination Dusit Devarana inDelhiis providing a two night package for a couple starting at Rs 16,000 between October 24 and October 26. Even Gurgaon’s Hyatt Regency is offering a Diwali package for two starting from Rs 18,000 and JW Marriott in Pune is providing a similar package for Rs 7,500.
Travel website Musafir.com endorsed by Sachin Tendulkar and travel operator Goibibo.com are providing up to Rs 3,000 off on flights till October 27. The offers are not limited only to domestic destinations as The Venetian Macao hotel announced a Diwali package for Indian travelers.
