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Tunia Cherian George

Mumbai , Aug. 9

SHRUGGING off the travel disruption caused by the heavy rain and the resultant flooding in States along the western coast, people across the country are packing their bags to get away for the long weekend, Monday being a public holiday for Independence Day.

Travel agencies and tour operators are reporting a lot of interest from city dwellers looking for an extended weekend getaway.

Despite the rain, Goa remains a favourite destination for travellers across the country. In the North, people are making for the hills, while people in the South are looking at destinations closer home.

Mr Prithviraj Patil, General Manager, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, said there has been a good demand for bookings at resorts across the State. Resorts at popular destinations such as Mahabaleshwar, Lonovala, Ganapati Pule, Harihareshwar and Karla are fully booked for the weekend.

Mr Patil said the heavy monsoon showers have not dampened bookings in a significant way. Most of the corporation's 55 resorts in the State had escaped major damage, except for the property at Titwala, a religious destination close Mumbai, he said.

According to Mr Prithviraj Chauhan, Chief Operating Officer, SITA India, for travellers based in the North, Rajasthan and the hill-stations remained favoured destinations. Besides, Kerala, Goa and the North-East were also popular.

Mr Akash Sheth, Head Corporate Sales at Raj Travels, said people were even opting for four-night packages to destinations such as Bangkok, Singapore and Malaysia.

Talking about the impact of the heavy rains and the consequent flooding, Mr Jehangir Katgara, Director, Travel Corporation of India, said a number of people had cancelled their travel plans following the rain and they would be a bit wary about venturing to hill stations in Maharashtra such as Matheran and Mahabaleshwar, as well as destinations along the Konkan Coast.

Mr Chauhan said at SITA India the agency lost Rs 16-18 lakh of business in the immediate aftermath of the heavy monsoon showers. Many of the cancellations were from customers in the Gulf countries, he said.

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