For the year-end, Indians are choosing to travel within the country, or opting for shorter trips to international destinations closer home.
Week-end travel is increasingly becoming popular, say tour operators. "Weekend getaways are becoming increasingly popular, as it is more economical to either drive down or take a short train ride", says Sunil Hasija, executive director, TUI India. Demand for railway booking is up by around 30 per cent this December, claimed an Ahmedabad based tour operator.
Hasija adds, "The compounded situation of the risen dollar rate and the airline industry this year, has definitely led to a slight shift in the holiday preferences this year end as well. This month while international remains popular, but there has been a shift to opt for holidays to middle-east and south-East Asia, as opposed to more Australia and South Africa. There has also been a significant rise in the domestic space. "
Around 72 per cent of travel searches at this time of year is domestic. Of that one in five are booking Goa, followed by 9 per cent for Puri, says Jackson Fernandez, general manager, Wego India. Top 10 domestic destinations booked by Indians for New Year include Goa, Puri, Araku Valley, New Delhi, Shirdi, Shimla, Lataguri, Kovalam, Port Blair and Kanyakumari, Wego India informed.
Moreover, budget travel is the mantra of the season. Apart from choosing domestic locations, most travellers are also eyeing a value-for-money deal when booking their accommodation. Fernandez said, " People are definitely looking for alternate accommodation option. We recently launched the Holiday Rental product through which we showcase home stays, service apartments, villas, beach houses, condos etc and we have seen a very strong interest for these option in the couple of weeks since the launch."
With the rise in air-fares, most travellers this season want to save on hotel cost this season.