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Tariq Engineer

Packages cost between Rs 3.5 lakh and Rs 6 lakh

Mumbai , Jan. 7

A trip to the 2007 World Cup cricket in the Caribbean is not for the faint of pocket. Most packages from India cost between Rs 3.5 lakh and Rs 6 lakh, which includes accommodation, transport, travel and match tickets, for anywhere from seven to 20 nights.

"Demand is picking up as the World Cup is getting closer," said Mr S. Karthikeya, who handles SOTC Sports Abroad. "Everyday we are adding an additional 10 to 12 bookings."

Bookings so far

SOTC is one of five ICC-approved travel agencies in India, the others being Trust Tours & Travels and Pyramid Travels in Mumbai, and FCM Travel Solutions India Ltd, (formerly Friends Globe Travels Ltd) and Air Cruise Travels Pvt Ltd, in Delhi.

According to Mr Karthikeya, SOTC has over 300 bookings so far and expects to book around 2,000 people by the time the World Cup starts. Included in their offerings are 500 cabins on Carnival Cruise Lines.

Trust Tours & Travels, headed by Mr Zakkir Ahmad, has booked about 350 people and anticipates firm orders from another 250. Trust Tours has also tied up with Carnival Cruise Lines as hotel rooms are hard to come by and transportation within islands is limited, he said.

Air Cruise Travels has chosen to focus on hotel bookings rather than cruises. "The demand has been mixed," said the Managing Director, Mr Vipen Sharma. "It hasn't been very good but it hasn't been bad either. It is picking up now."

Air Cruise has booked 180 to 190 people so far with current capacity being 300. Mr Sharma said the agency has the resources to increase its inventory should the demand increase. Both SOTC and Trust Tours say they have chartered a plane to fly travellers from London to the West Indies because of the lack of commercial flights, while Air Cruise is still considering the option.

All three agencies say tickets for India's matches in the Super 8 round are most in demand even though India has to first qualify for the Super 8 round. However, since India are in a group with Bermuda, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, with the top two teams advancing, it is safe to assume India will qualify for the next stage.

Pyramid Travels declined to talk to Business Line while FCM Travel Solutions (India Ltd.) could not be reached.

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