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Summer travel rises 40% this year, travel sector see buoyant demand

As Indian travellers pack their bags to escape the scorching heat, there has been a 40 per cent on-year increase in summer travel this year, with hospitality and travel services providers noticing buoyant demand. Although the ongoing general elections have had a minor impact on corporate and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) business, hotels are finding increased retail business with beach destinations still fighting it out with hill stations for the favoured holiday site. "Those in the Northern part of the country head to the hills to escape the heat. There is also movement from the cities to nearby tourist or leisure destinations. Industry sources estimate a 30 to 40 per cent increase in the summer travel this year as compared to last year," Hotel Association of India, President and Radisson Hotel Group Chairman-South Asia, KB Kachru told PTI. MakeMyTrip Co-Founder & Group CEO Rajesh Magow said, "Summer is always one of the biggest quarters of the year in terms of travel intent, and this year too, the buoyancy in the sector continues. We are observing a healthy growth in searches over those recorded last year at this time." According to MakeMyTrip's summer travel trends, the family travel segment has grown by 20 per cent this year, as compared to the summer of 2023, while solo travel grew by 10 per cent over last year's numbers. In terms of most booked holiday packages this summer, destinations with cool mountain terrains are the top picks with Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Goa, Kerala and the North East emerging as most sought after places. "While elections might have a minor impact on corporate and MICE business, retail business has increased by 20 per cent compared to the same time last year at the group level," Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd Chairman and Managing Director, Chander K Baljee said. The major locations benefiting from increased occupancy are hill hotels, resorts, and other leisure destinations, he added. Baljee further said, "Mashobra's (in Himachal Pradesh) retail business has increased almost five-fold with slight price rationalisation, and Mussoorie's retail occupancy has doubled. Goa witnessed a 50 per cent increase in retail occupancy compared to last year." On the other hand, hospitality and travel-tech firm OYO said as per its bookings for May and June 2024, beach destinations are seeing a higher preference among travellers compared to mountains this summer. "Beaches account for 53 per cent of the total leisure bookings, demonstrating a strong inclination towards coastal vacations even during the hot summer months. On the other hand, mountain destinations, which make up 47 per cent of the bookings, are also drawing considerable interest, particularly as we move into June," a spokesperson of OYO said. Goa continues to be the most popular beach destination, followed by Varkala, Pondicherry, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. However, the spokesperson said, "The early trends for June indicate that mountains will take over beaches. Among these, Nainital tops the list, followed by Rishikesh, Manali, Mussoorie, and Darjeeling. This indicates a growing trend of travellers seeking the serene and cool environment of the mountains as the summer progresses." Interestingly, Kachru said, "Air travel has seen immense growth because of the campaign of the Election Commission to celebrate the festival of democracy and a large number of citizens are travelling to cast their precious vote in their home towns.

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Cyclone Remal to hit West Bengal today; flight operations suspended in Kolkata; alerts in several regions

According to the prediction of India Meteorological Department (IMD), cyclone 'Remal' will make landfall in Kolkata today. This is the first cyclone of the pre-monsoon season in the Bay of Bengal and keeping the risks in mind, the Kolkata airport has suspended flight operations. Flights to remain suspended Given the current cyclonic conditions, flight operations at Kolkata Airport have been suspended for 21 hours due to Cyclone Remal's impending landfall, announced by the Kolkata Airport Authority on Saturday. The Kolkata Airport Authority said, "In light of Cyclone Remal's anticipated impact on the coastal areas of West Bengal, including Kolkata, a meeting was convened with stakeholders. It has been unanimously decided to halt flight operations from 1200 IST on May 26 to 0900 IST on May 27, owing to the expected heavy winds and heavy to very heavy rainfall in Kolkata". Cyclone Remal is expected to have a significant impact on the coastal regions of West Bengal, including the city of Kolkata. Remal is predicted to hit between West Bengal’s Sagar Island and Bangladesh’s Khepupara on Sunday midnight. The IMD has also warned that the cyclone will bring extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds to coastal regions of Bangladesh and West Bengal on May 26. Originally detected as a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal on May 22, it has since grown stronger into a more significant depression, currently positioned in the central Bay of Bengal. The IMD forecasts this system to evolve into a cyclone and progress towards northeastern India by the morning of May 25. Places to be affected by the cyclone: IMD further predicts that besides West Bengal, other northeastern states like Tripura, Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur may experience rainfall and strong winds. Tripura's regional meteorological center has also cautioned against adverse weather conditions starting today (May 26). The IMD in its bulletin at 5:52 AM on Sunday mentioned, "The CS "Remal" over North BoB about 290 km S SE of Sagar Islands(WB) 300 km S SW of Khepupara(Bangladesh) and 320 km S SE of Canning (WB). To intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in next 06 hours and cross between Bangladesh and adjoining WB coasts around 26 midnight as SCS."

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Increased tourist footfall in Srinagar; may have to book a month in advance for houseboat rides!

If your Kashmir summer wishlist has traditional houseboat rides on it, make sure you book at least a month in advance. Tourist footfall has increased around Dal Lake and adjacent areas in Kashmir, with further growth expected in the days to come. With most of the Indian states under the grip of extreme heat, Srinagar comes as one of the coolest places in India right now. As per the President of Kashmir Houseboat Owners Association, this surge in visitors is a promising sign for the region’s tourism industry, which has been on an upswing over the past few years. Keeping the current surge of tourists in Kashmir in mind, it was also shared that for those who want to experience the joy of houseboats in Kashmir, advance booking/reservation is the best way to go about it. The vibrant atmosphere around Dal Lake, with tourists enjoying shikara rides and the picturesque surroundings, highlights the region’s position as one of the top travel destinations in India. Dal Lake, often referred to as the Jewel in the crown of Kashmir, is one of the most iconic and picturesque lakes in India. This urban lake spans approximately 18 square kilometres and is known for its stunning scenic beauty. Dal Lake is surrounded by majestic mountains and lush Mughal gardens, offering a serene and captivating view. It is famous for its houseboats and shikaras (traditional wooden boats), which provide unique accommodation and leisurely rides to tourists. The lake comprises four main parts—Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, and Nagin—and is interconnected by a series of intricate waterways. Apart from its natural beauty, Dal Lake is a hub of cultural and economic activity, with floating markets where vendors sell fresh produce and handicrafts from their boats. Dal Lake is not only a major tourist attraction but also a vital part of Srinagar's heritage and economy, symbolising the timeless charm of Kashmir. Dal Lake is also home to one of the world's only floating post offices. Established in 2011, the post office operates from a traditional Kashmiri houseboat and offers postal services to both locals and tourists. It has become a popular tourist attraction, allowing visitors to send postcards stamped with a unique seal depicting the picturesque Dal Lake.

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Goa government cancels the much-awaited 'Lantern Festival' on Morjim beach; know why?

In a recent turn of events, the government of Goa has cancelled the much awaited Lantern Festivals which was slated for 25th May. The organisers shared, "Glowfest cancelled", on their official page. The decision was taken after the protests by activists on social media. The petitions to authorities to initiate action against the likely danger to marine life, which, they said, is already suffering from various activities. Soon the forest department swung into action. Prem Kumar R, deputy conservator of forests, wildlife and eco tourism (North) wrote to the environment secretary seeking suitable intervention “to maintain the sanctity of the turtle hatchery and nesting site at Morjim beach”. Morjim, a turtle nesting site For those who don’t know, Morjim is a nesting site of Olive Ridley turtles in Goa. The event will be a violation of rules and regulation of Goa’s coastal zone management authority (GCZMA), he added. In another, Atmaram Gauns, RFO, marine range, Morjim, mentioned that the event organiser had not submitted any documents/permission for the festival. Gauns also requested Morjim PI to deploy police personnel to halt the festival. Before this, Pernem deputy collector had directed Mandrem PI to deploy necessary police force and maintain strict vigil to ensure that the festival is not held. The tourism department has also confirmed that organisers had not sought any permission for the event. Suneel Anchipaka, director tourism said, “Necessary action has been initiated in this regard. We have been focusing on promoting regenerative tourism and we shall not allow any event which threatens the ecology or the environment”. However, despite the cancellation activists expressed surprise that the booking link is still not closed. “We are keeping our eyes wide open,” an activist said. Apparently, this was Goa’s first-ever lantern festival.

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In a first, Indian Haj pilgrims ride high-speed trains to Makkah from Jeddah

For the first time in history, Indian Haj pilgrims on their journey will experience a new level of comfort. Instead of the traditional bus journey from Jeddah airport to Makkah, the pilgrims will now board high-speed trains, which will also reduce the travel time in half. Arrangements for this groundbreaking change were made through collaborative efforts between the Indian consulate general in Jeddah and Saudi authorities. Nearly 32,000 Indian pilgrims will benefit from this high-speed train service, which leverages the high-speed capabilities of the Harmain Train, reaching speeds of up to 300 kmph. The Indian embassy took to the social media site, X and announced that the first group of pilgrims arrived at Jeddah airport and embarked on their journey to Mecca via the high-speed Haramain Train. Leading this inaugural experience were Indian ambassador Suhel Ajaz Khan and consul general Mohammed Shahid Alam, alongside officials from the Saudi Arabian Railways and ministries of Haj and transport. “This is not only a milestone for Indian pilgrims but also a pioneering effort by Saudi authorities to transport Hajis directly from Jeddah airport to Makkah by train,” said Khan. Every year, Indian authorities try to enhance the Haj pilgrimage experience, aiming to make it more comfortable and streamlined. In 2024, a total of 175,000 pilgrims from India are expected to perform the Haj, with 140,000 of them facilitated by the Haj committee of India. The Haj pilgrimage is of utmost importance for millions of Muslims across the globe, representing one of the five pillars of Islam. Every year, Muslims from all over embark on this sacred journey to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. During the annual pilgrimage, known as Haj, pilgrims perform a series of spiritual rituals which includes circling the Kaaba, drinking from the Zamzam well, and standing vigil on the plains of Mount Arafat. The Haj serves as a symbol of unity, equality, and spiritual renewal, as Muslims from diverse backgrounds come together in worship and devotion. Beyond its religious significance, the Hajj fosters a sense of community and solidarity among believers, reinforcing the bonds that transcend cultural and national boundaries.

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Summer travel up 40% this year; hospitality, travel services providers see buoyant demand

As Indian travellers pack their bags to escape the scorching heat, there has been a 40 per cent on-year increase in summer travel this year, with hospitality and travel services providers noticing buoyant demand. Although the ongoing general elections have had a minor impact on corporate and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) business, hotels are finding increased retail business with beach destinations still fighting it out with hill stations for the favoured holiday site. "Those in the Northern part of the country head to the hills to escape the heat. There is also movement from the cities to nearby tourist or leisure destinations. Industry sources estimate a 30 to 40 per cent increase in the summer travel this year as compared to last year," Hotel Association of India, President and Radisson Hotel Group Chairman-South Asia, KB Kachru told PTI. MakeMyTrip Co-Founder & Group CEO Rajesh Magow said, "Summer is always one of the biggest quarters of the year in terms of travel intent, and this year too, the buoyancy in the sector continues. We are observing a healthy growth in searches over those recorded last year at this time." According to MakeMyTrip's summer travel trends, the family travel segment has grown by 20 per cent this year, as compared to the summer of 2023, while solo travel grew by 10 per cent over last year's numbers. In terms of most booked holiday packages this summer, destinations with cool mountain terrains are the top picks with Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Goa, Kerala and the North East emerging as most sought after places. "While elections might have a minor impact on corporate and MICE business, retail business has increased by 20 per cent compared to the same time last year at the group level," Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd Chairman and Managing Director, Chander K Baljee said. The major locations benefiting from increased occupancy are hill hotels, resorts, and other leisure destinations, he added. Baljee further said, "Mashobra's (in Himachal Pradesh) retail business has increased almost five-fold with slight price rationalisation, and Mussoorie's retail occupancy has doubled. Goa witnessed a 50 per cent increase in retail occupancy compared to last year." On the other hand, hospitality and travel-tech firm OYO said as per its bookings for May and June 2024, beach destinations are seeing a higher preference among travellers compared to mountains this summer. "Beaches account for 53 per cent of the total leisure bookings, demonstrating a strong inclination towards coastal vacations even during the hot summer months. On the other hand, mountain destinations, which make up 47 per cent of the bookings, are also drawing considerable interest, particularly as we move into June," a spokesperson of OYO said. Goa continues to be the most popular beach destination, followed by Varkala, Pondicherry, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. However, the spokesperson said, "The early trends for June indicate that mountains will take over beaches. Among these, Nainital tops the list, followed by Rishikesh, Manali, Mussoorie, and Darjeeling. This indicates a growing trend of travellers seeking the serene and cool environment of the mountains as the summer progresses." Interestingly, Kachru said, "Air travel has seen immense growth because of the campaign of the Election Commission to celebrate the festival of democracy and a large number of citizens are travelling to cast their precious vote in their home towns."

Read more