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Top 5 most affordable international destinations for a summer vacation

Summer is just around the corner, and if you're dreaming of an international getaway without breaking the bank, we've got you covered. From the historic streets of Baku to the tropical paradise of Bali, here are the top five most affordable international destinations to consider for your summer vacation: Baku, Azerbaijan: Unveiling a blend of history and modernity Baku, Azerbaijan, is a hidden gem waiting to be explored by budget-conscious travellers. With affordable hotels and a convenient local transport system, Baku offers a perfect blend of history and modernity. Stroll through the ancient lanes of the Old City (Icherisheher) and marvel at the futuristic skyscrapers that line the cityscape. Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture by visiting local mosques and landmarks. Don't miss out on trying the local delicacies available at pocket-friendly prices. To get around the city without breaking the bank, explore hidden treasures on foot or hop on a local bus or metro. Phuket, Thailand: Island paradise at an affordable price Phuket, Thailand, is renowned for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife. Budget travellers will be happy to find affordable beachfront resorts and budget-friendly accommodations. Phuket is a great base for exploring nearby islands like Phi Phi Island and James Bond Island, where you can soak in the natural beauty without spending a fortune. Indulge in delicious street food available at pocket-friendly prices to experience the true flavours of Thailand. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Budget traveller's paradise awaits Colombo, Sri Lanka, is a dream destination for budget travellers. With visa-free entry, affordable direct flights, and low-priced accommodations in the city centre, Colombo offers a hassle-free and cost-effective travel experience. Immerse yourself in the blend of cultural heritage and modern attractions, from exploring beautiful beaches to visiting historical sites like the Colombo National Museum. Treat your taste buds to budget-friendly local cuisine and street food, offering a delightful culinary experience without breaking the bank. Bali, Indonesia: Affordability meets beauty in Bali Bali, Indonesia, is synonymous with beautiful beaches, lush landscapes, and vibrant culture. Easy visas and low-cost flights make Bali an attractive destination for budget travellers. Whether you're relaxing on the pristine beaches or exploring Balinese temples and local markets, Bali offers a plethora of affordable experiences. From hotels to villas, accommodation options in Bali cater to every budget, ensuring a memorable stay without overspending. Hanoi, Vietnam: Explore Vietnam's charm on a budget Hanoi, Vietnam, offers a charming exploration experience for budget travellers. Explore the charming Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, where affordable accommodations, including budget hostels and boutique hotels, await you. Dive into the vibrant street food culture with iconic dishes like pho and banh mi, tantalising your taste buds without burning a hole in your pocket. Don't miss the opportunity to visit nearby attractions like Halong Bay by exploring affordable tours, adding an extra dimension to your Hanoi experience. Concluding the perfect summer escape: These five international destinations offer the perfect combination of affordability and unforgettable experiences. Whether you're seeking cultural immersion, beach relaxation, or culinary adventures, these budget-friendly destinations have something for everyone. So, pack your bags and get ready for a summer vacation that won't break the bank!

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International air travel from tier-2, -3 cities soars

Indian aviation is witnessing a boom in international travel from smaller cities, with tier-2 and -3 hubs experiencing a significant surge in passenger traffic. According to data provided by the Airports Authority of India, cities like Trichy (15.1 per cent increase), Calicut (11.3 per cent increase), Amritsar (30 per cent increase) and Varanasi (6.7 per cent increase) saw impressive growth in the financial year 2023-24 (April to March) compared with the previous year. Notably, Indore witnessed a staggering 175.3 per cent rise in passenger traffic and Surat’s traffic grew by a substantial 126.2 per cent. Gaya, another fast-growing tier-2 city, reported a 47.6 per cent increase in international travellers. Airlines’ observations This trend aligns with observations from major airlines. Air India Express reports a “significant surge in passenger traffic from these markets, especially to the Middle East and Southeast Asia,” exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Tara Naidu, VP of International Business at Air India Express, elaborates, “Our passenger carriage has not only rebounded to pre-COVID levels but has surpassed them, displaying a robust recovery.” To meet this demand, they’ve bolstered capacity on these routes by 10 per cent and introduced new flight routes like Hyderabad to Dammam, Lucknow to Muscat, Surat to Dubai, Thiruvananthapuram to Doha and Mangaluru to Jeddah. Indigo mirrors the tier -2/3 city focus. An Indigo spokesperson said, “We expect the demand for air travel to remain robust, and the overall operating environment to remain conducive. Our international ASKs grew by 47 per cent YoY in the quarter ending December 2023. We see significant potential in tier-2 markets for international travel, as these cities are emerging as gateways to global destinations. Our share of international travel rose to 27 per cent of ASK in FY24 from 23 per cent in FY23.” The airline is expanding its international network, currently flying to 33 destinations from both major metros and 12 non-metro cities in India. Experts believe this surge is driven by a confluence of factors. Increased disposable income among the expanding middle class in tier-2 and -3 cities fuels a desire for leisure travel. Improved infrastructure in these regions, including airports and transportation links, makes international travel more accessible. Sunny Sodhi, Managing Director of FCM Travel India explained that tier-2 cities, now business hubs with startups, lacked direct flights. Business travellers had to connect through metros. This shift in options aligns with airlines targeting the Middle East and Gulf regions popular for business travel from these cities. Meanwhile, Cleartrip data confirms this trend, showcasing a significant rise in bookings for international travel from Vizag, Pune, Patna, Nagpur, Lucknow and Jaipur. Fares from these cities have increased by 6 per cent for summer travel, but bookings have skyrocketed by a factor of 1.85 times.

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95% of Indian travellers interested in sustainable travel: Report

Even as 95 per cent of Indian travellers interviewed said sustainable travel is important to them, more than half feel the irreversible damage has already been done, a report said on Monday. Online travel agency Booking.com's ninth 'Sustainable Travel Report 2024' revealed that almost two-thirds (62 per cent) of Indian travellers stated they would feel guilty when they make less sustainable travel choices and 20 per cent of them want to travel more sustainably because they believe it's the right thing to do. Booking.com's ninth Sustainable Travel Report 2024, is based on insights gathered from more than 31,000 travellers across 34 countries and territories, including 1,000 in India. However, the report found that a sense of disillusion towards making more sustainable travel choices might be counteracting these positive intentions. For the first time this year, the report revealed that some travellers don't recognise the importance of being more mindful. Almost a quarter (24 per cent) of Indian travellers felt travelling more sustainably is important, but not a primary consideration when planning or booking a trip, it added. More than half (52 per cent) feel that the damage already done is irreversible and that the travel choices they make are not going to change that, said the report. In fact, 39 per cent don't believe climate change is as severe as people make it out to be and 47 per cent feel their time spent travelling is too precious to put sustainability at the top of their decision-making list, it noted. Over 53 per cent of travellers believed that being more sustainable in a destination that is not implementing sustainability practices itself feels pointless, it added. "This year's new insights show that a sense of weariness could be emerging among travellers fuelled by the ongoing challenges that they experience to make more sustainable travel choices... we believe working together across the industry, simple changes when taken together can start to make a big difference," Booking.com Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia, Santosh Kumar, added.

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Europe's travel strikes: Flight and train disruption you can expect in April and May

Our guide is updated as soon as a new European strike is announced. Strikes are a regular occurrence in Europe, as employees withhold their labour to fight for better pay and conditions. Walkouts are sometimes planned months ahead but others are announced last minute, showing that it always pays to check before you travel. Luckily, we have gathered all of the strike information together below. Read on to find out where and when are walkouts taking place. UK: Heathrow Border Force worker strikes in April and May Border Force workers at London's Heathrow Airport plan to walk out from 29 April to 2 May over plans to lay off staff. This could cause major disruption for international flights. A smaller scale 'work to rule' strike between 3-18 May could cause further disruption. Heathrow flights could also be grounded on 4-6 May as 50 refuelling workers stage a 72-hour strike over cuts to their benefits. Train strikes in April While there is no national train strike planned in the UK, various localised action is planned for April. From 15-20 April, strikes by the ASLEF union will affect Northern rail services. And on 20 April, an ASLEF walkout will impact LNER trains. Gatwick Airport: Catering workers to strike on easyJet and TUI flights Passengers on easyJet and TUI flights departing from London's Gatwick Airport will be left hungry as Dnata catering workers go on strike. Around 100 workers, including HGV drivers and warehouse workers, will strike from 26-29 April, 3-6 May and 10-13 May. Strike action will intensify if the dispute over pay is not resolved, the Unite union has threatened. Belgium: Strikes threatened at Charleroi Airport Brussels' Charleroi Airport has issued a strike warning that lasts until the end of April. Catering staff and baggage handlers are expected to walk out at the start of May if their concerns over working conditions are not addressed. France: Air traffic controllers threaten to walk out in April French airports could be hit by air traffic control strikes on Thursday 25 April as workers protest restructuring of their services. Workers have until Tuesday to announce whether they will be involved in the walk out, but it is thought that it could affect up to 70 per cent of flights at major airports. Could strikes hit Paris Olympics? CGT-RATP union members announced a seven-month strike notice from 5 February to 9 September that could hit the Ile-de-France bus and metro network - including during this summer's Olympic Games. However, the French Senate adopted a bill on 9 April to allow the state to ban transport strikes for set periods each year to avoid disruption during major events like Paris 2024. It also calls for more advance warning of strikes and increased minimum service obligations. The bill faces opposition and must be adopted by the French National Assembly before it becomes law. Workers at the state-owned public transport company say they are walking out over pay. Germany: Threat of various strikes ends On 25 March, Deutsche Bahn reached an agreement with Germany’s GDL train drivers' union, bringing an end to five months of negotiations and strikes. The deal means that GDL will abstain from strikes until at least February 2026. German union Verdi has also called off strikes at various German airports after reaching a pay deal.

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Domestic air traffic soars to new single-day high, crosses 4.71 lakh passengers

The Civil Aviation Ministry informed that the domestic air traffic reached a new single-day peak of 471,751 passengers on Sunday (April 21). According to the official data, this figure represents an increase of over 14 per cent compared to the average pre-Covid count of 398,579 passengers. On April 21, the total number of domestic air passengers reached 471,751, with 6,128 flights, according to data from the civil aviation ministry. This surpasses the domestic air traffic figures of 428,389 passengers and 5,899 flights recorded on April 21 last year. Indian aviation market witnessing unprecedented growth In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, the ministry highlighted India’s domestic aviation reaching new heights. “Domestic aviation in India is witnessing unprecedented growth, driven by factors such as concrete policies, economic development, and expansion of low-cost carriers. As more people gain access to air travel, the sector is expected to continue its upward trajectory,” the ministry stated. 4.38% annual growth recorded According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), domestic airlines carried 391.46 lakhs passengers during January-March 2024, compared to 375.04 lakhs during the same period last year. DGCA last week highlighted that this marked an annual growth of 4.38 percent and a monthly growth of 3.68 percent.

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Uttarakhand: Manaskhand Corridor Yatra starts on April 22, aims to promote Kumaon temples

Uttarakhand tourism department is teaming up with Indian Railways to launch the Manaskhand Corridor Yatra, aimed at highlighting the ancient temples of the Kumaon region. District Tourism Officer Kirti Chand Arya announced that a special train will depart from Pune and journey to Tanakpur in Pithoragarh district, starting from April 22. This initiative aims to promote tourism in the region by providing travellers with an opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage and architectural marvels of Uttarakhand. The train will be carrying over 600 pilgrims in two separate batches to visit the famous temples of 'Manaskhand'. This term originates from ancient Hindu scriptures and specifically denotes the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. These pilgrims will have the opportunity to explore and pay homage at the sacred sites nestled within the scenic landscape of Kumaon, experiencing the spiritual essence of the region firsthand. The Manaskhand temples tour package, spanning 7 days and 6 nights, will offer pilgrims a comprehensive journey through the sacred sites. Upon arrival, pilgrims will alight the train at Khatima, located approximately one kilometre from Tanakpur, and be ferried to the temples via road transport. One train is scheduled to depart from Pune on April 22, reaching Khatima on April 24, according to Arya. Additionally, another train carrying pilgrims will embark from Pune on April 24, arriving at Khatima on April 26. Khatima has been selected as the final stop due to its superior amenities, including hotels, compared to Tanakpur, ensuring a comfortable stay for pilgrims, as explained by the officer. As part of the tour package, the devotees will embark on a journey to various temples and religious sites located in Tanakpur, Champawat, Pithoragarh, and Almora, where they will receive detailed explanations about the mythological significance of these places. The itinerary includes visits to several notable temples such as Baleswar, Maneswar, and Mayawati in Champawat; Hat Kalika and Patal Bhubaneswar in Pithoragarh; Jageswar and Golu Devta in Chitai; as well as Nanda Devi, Kasar Devi, and Katarmal in Almora. Additionally, pilgrims will also visit Nanakmatta Sahib Gurudwara in Udham Singh Nagar and the Naina Devi temple in Nainital, experiencing the rich religious and cultural heritage of Uttarakhand.

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