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Planning a trip to a historically-important destination this Independence Day? Travel companies such as Cox and Kings and Yatra.com are gearing up with special packages for those visiting sites such as Jallianwala Bagh, Sabarmati Ashram, Andaman Cellular Jail, India Gate, and so on.
Adding to the Independence Day cheer are airlines and hotels, which are offering reduced fares and rates as part of their monsoon package.
‘Big advantage’
“We have got a number of enquiries from travellers who want to visit destinations of historical significance related to the freedom struggle. Tourist traffic to destinations such as Jallianwalla Bagh in Amritsar, Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Kargil War Memorial (Srinagar-Leh Highway 1D) and the Wagah Border (Punjab) is going to increase significantly,” said Karan Anand — Head, Relationships, Cox & Kings.
The recent change in the GST rate is also going to be a win-win for travellers and the hotel industry. “As the GST will now be levied on the actual tariffs — the room rates are also expected to come down by 10-12 per cent. This way it will be a big advantage for the hotel industry,” said Garish Oberoi, President, Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI).
Less enquiries
While there is a revived interest in independence-related historical sites, the number of enquiries this year has been low, say travel industry experts. The reason for this could be that last year’s Independence Day fell on a Tuesday, and travellers could take the Monday off to enjoy their vacation for four days at a stretch.
“The number of enquires may be a little lower but the market will continue to grow. Also, many airlines have reduced their price, and travellers have access to excellent offers on air-fares in the past two weeks,” says Sharat Dhall, Chief Operating Officer, Yatra.com.
Monsoon factor
The monsoon, which is often a deterrent for those planning a trip, has, in fact, been a perfect time to travel. Those planning a leisure trip are looking to go to Goa or places closer to metros for the August 15 holiday.
“The hill stations become cooler, at beach destinations people get the advantage of lower (off-season) rates, and at many other destinations, the weather is actually more pleasant. So it’s the perfect time to plan a vacation,” says Kapil Goswamy, CMD, BigBreaks.
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