Travel agents bank on winter plans

 This time round, the new hot destinations to be served on the platter include Egypt, Korea, China and Vienna apart from the traditional budget holiday packages to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

 The summer peak season, which traditionally accounts for 80 per cent of the total business of tour operators, witnessed a 25-30 per cent dip in business this year owing to the severe acute respiratory syndrome.

 Agents are hoping to make up for the business lost this summer with aggressive marketing and new launches. The operators are, however, tight-lipped about the price tags but say the packages will be loaded with value-added propositions.

 J D Ketkar, director finance Cox & Kings, said,