Hotels, tour operators shed Covid baggage as Diwali promises to sparkle

Group tours at 65-70% of pre-pandemic levels; Southeast Asia, Egypt, and Turkey seeing maximum demand

After years of being sequestered by the pandemic, some intrepid travellers are planning to settle their score with the novel coronavirus. With fewer or no travel curbs, they are eager to get back on the road, again.

Hotels and tour operators, too, are eager to shed excess Covid baggage. And this year’s Diwali promises to add that extra layer sparkle with the introduction of new flights. Staying home meant some people saved up money and can now splurge on a fancier hotel, a first-class airplane ticket or a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

While domestic tourism recovered quickly, international travel has begun to