With the winter tourism season round the corner, air fares are taking an upward march to the most preferred Indian destinations such as Goa. The steep airfares may become a spoilsport for many planning a vacation during Christmas and New Year this year.

With Goa topping the charts of preferred destination, there is already 10 per cent increase in fares till middle of December. Goa attracts around 24 lakh tourists, 20 lakh of them from within India, annually.

Considering the rising air fares, many Indian travellers are giving Goa a miss for a holiday abroad.

“The flight fares to Goa on an average go up more than 50 per cent in December – January,” said Mr Neelu Singh, Chief Operating Officer, Ezeego1.

Like, a Delhi–Goa flight fare on December 27 is close to Rs 10,000 for a person and Goa–Delhi on January 1 is already over Rs 10,000.

Industry experts point out that air fares from Mumbai to Goa had crossed Rs 20,000/passenger on last New Year's Eve.

Airlines companies also had hiked fares on some metro sectors during Diwali this year.

“It could vary depending on how soon one books. The fares are already very high. Last minute bookings could possibly see a higher fare,” said Mr Deepak Tuli, Head, Goibibo.

With air fares and hotel room rates to the beach destinations such as Goa going up, countries such as Dubai, Sri Lanka and Malaysia are benefitting as alternative holiday destinations, said an industry analyst.

Like a Mumbai-Bangkok return fare for the last week of December is just Rs 16,000. Tour operators such as Thomas Cook and SOTC offer attractive packages for destinations such as Thailand and Sri Lanka starting from Rs 20,000 onwards, which includes the flight fare, accommodation and food.

“There are many enquiries for a holiday abroad for December as the packages are cost-effective,” said a spokesperson from SOTC.

For last minute travellers, this trend is more pronounced.

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