The Hindu Business Line : New Year bashes off, but travel agents optimistic

Mumbai, Dec. 28 New Year celebrations are not looking as bad as presumed, after all. While the number of ostentatious parties might be less this year, nothing is stopping people from holidaying in near and far locations in the country as they welcome 2009.

Economic slowdown, coupled with uncertainty and fear that followed the Mumbai terror attacks, was being considered as a dampener to the New Year spirit. Well, the mood may be low key, but spending time with friends and family over a quiet dinner in restaurants, or travelling to holiday destinations are still some of the options people are looking at for the coming New Year eve.

While many five star hotels have called off New Year bashes, opportunities for dining galore. Like every year, this year too hotels have made special arrangements for New Year-eve.

Looking at travel, true, the business will not be as robust as it used to be during this period in the past, but flights and trains to certain holiday destinations are doing pretty brisk business. “Compared to last year the business is 50-60 per cent down this year. For example to Goa, every year flights are choc-a-bloc but this year you can get tickets. But for Kerala or Rajasthan, flights are going full this week,” said Mr Reji Phillip of Mumbai-based Cosmos Travels, an IATA recognised travel agency. Momentum to Goa is low this year also because many hotels have cancelled their New Year parties, he added. Beach parties in Goa are also likely to be a low key affair due to security concerns.

But people are travelling and normalcy is setting in, says Mr Rajinder Rai, President of Travel Agents Association of India. “Till about two weeks back, flight bookings both national and international were down to 30 per cent, but they are picking up now. One can easily say that bookings in the coming week are above 50 per cent and still coming. Trains are also going full and we are hopeful that normal business activity will commence soon, signs of which are already visible,” he said.

Mr Rai said rebound is being witnessed as fares have stabilised, people are getting over Mumbai attacks, Incredible India campaign is gaining heat, red alerts have been called off and foreign countries have also relaxed travel advisories against India.

Moreover, “How long can one grapple with all sorts of stress. This year especially, people just want to take a break and travel to relatively peaceful destinations,” said Mr Rai.