With the international airline fares and prices of tour packages being slashed by almost 20-50 per cent, residents are keen on exploring international destinations instead of ‘traditional’ domestic haunts this summer. The cost factor plays an important role in tourists preferring the less expensive foreign destinations.

Travellers are leaving no stone unturned while booking a trip to foreign countries including Switzerland, Austria, Bali, Canada, Turkey, Greece and Italy. While the prices of tour packages to the United States had been slashed due to a decrease in the air fare and hotel bookings, South East Asian destinations like Mauritius, which are completely dependent on tourism, have been adversely affected.

“Tourists from Punjab and the northern region are increasingly opting for European destinations as there has been a considerable decrease in the air fare and tour packages in the last four months. The return ticket for London around three months back was between Rs 30,000-35,000 while it is around Rs 26,000 now,” said Mohinder Bajaj, Director of Bajaj Travels.

Other travel agents in the city agree that there has been a considerable increase in tourists preferring international locations. Seeing the cost advantage, tourists are innovating and customising their tour packages. While places such as Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia have been common favourites, people from the region are also exploring new destinations like Greece and Turkey. The tour package to Greece which was priced at around Rs 1 lakh a few months ago is now between Rs 60,000-70,000.

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