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Are Vietnam, Thailand Cheaper Than Goa For A Beach Holiday?

Vietnam, a coastal country in Southeast Asia, has emerged as one of the top tourist destinations in recent times, with many more Indian tourists choosing this nation over Goa - which is known for its pristine beaches and nightlife. A fund manager, Viraj Mehta, on Tuesday explained this new trend of travellers heading to the South East Asian countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Cambodia instead of visiting Goa. Mehta said India was losing out tourists to Southeast Asian countries due to high real estate prices that have pushed the hotel prices. He said that Vietnam has become the new Thailand. "Mass affordable tours with direct flights and good value for money," he said. "We losing out to Southeast Asian countries due to high real estate prices leading to such inflated hotel rentals. Cheaper to go to Bali/Hanoi than Goa..Strange..Solution?" "Basically you get direct flight connections to top 8-10 cities and cheap hotels with a clean environments and then see the power of Indian consumer," Mehta said. The fund manager's post sparked a debate with many offering their two cents. Harsh Shah, a chartered accountant and investor, said that more than the property prices, it was the culture honestly. "Clean and less polluting environment," Shah said. "And sensitize people's attitude towards tourists. Can a woman traveler roam around in skimpy clothes without getting creepily ogled at?" he asked. Saurabh Parmar, an entrepreneur, jumped into the conversation and said he had lived as a digital nomad and also in Vietnam for two years. "This is not new, tourism in India was always more expensive. In fact, now the costs are coming closer because Vietnam and Thailand are getting more expensive," he said. In May this year, Vietnam+ reported that the search volume of accommodations in Vietnam was rising rapidly, ranking 11th in the world. The biggest sources of search about Vietnam's tourism included the US, Japan, Australia, Singapore, India, Thailand, France, Germany, the UK, and the Republic of Korea. Two months later in July, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism said the country had welcomed nearly 5.6 million international visitors in the first half of this year, accounting for 66 per cent of the figure the country recorded in 2019 before the Covid outbreak. Abhishek Rai, an investor, said that he visited Bali, Hanoi, and Phuket three times while Goa only once as it was two-and-half times costlier. "Go to Bali/Hanoi/Phuket only. Been there 3 times this year. And one time to Goa. Goa was 2.5x costlier, filthier, and most importantly, didn't feel good after spending so much money for the family. Compared to this, Vietnam Nha Trang was so much better. Goa has lost it," he wrote on X. Bali was placed second in Trip Advisor's 'Best of the Best Destinations' ranking for 2023. Interestingly, Bali was the only Southeast Asian city in the top ten destinations. Ubud, a town in Bali, was ranked at fourth position in the ranking by Travel + Leisure Readers' 25 Favorite Cities in the World of 2023. Monil Nitin Parikh, an entrepreneur, said Goa had become super expensive due to over-tourism. "It is not really cheaper even a week-long tour would cost over 1 lakh per person even if you take basic Bed & Breakfast type hotels. Goa has become super expensive due to over-tourism." In November last year, Savills, an international real estate consultant, said Goa had become a favourite location for people looking to purchase a second home because of its high rental yields. This rental yield, it said, ranges from 4 to 10 per cent. According to the consultant, the districts of Porvorim, Parra, Assagaon, Saligao, Anjuna, and Siolim had witnessed massive demand for independent residences and rented villas in gated communities. Depending on the size of the room and the number of villas, it said, the costs per night range from Rs 15,000 to Rs 100,000.

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Indians are ditching the plain holiday for a Hobbiday, the big travel trend this year

In January every year, the Indian service class gets a list in their mail: the holidays. 'Holidays 2024' is the first email that I really looked forward to receiving this year, ngl. This list came with 15 long weekends; and when a holiday falls on a Thursday or a Tuesday, you know what to do. These 15 long weekends will perhaps translate to 8-10 short trips, and if your work too takes a toll on your other, real life, you would want to leave the office for biannual long vacations. But are holidays just about vegetating on a beach somewhere or walking around the Mall Road in the hills anymore? Post-Covid, what people like to do on holidays has also changed. Those days of being stuck at home, where the crematorium was a cough away, ensured we made time for better things. We were making dalgona coffee and baking banana bread, and if you survived that epidemic, you wanted to get in touch with the lost hobbies of singing, dancing, painting, cooking, et al (and documenting it all on Reels, of course). Well. It's 2024. Work From Home or the Hills is a thing of the past. Our hobbies have taken a back seat. So, what can you fall back on? Holidays, of course. And nothing like clubbing a hobby and a holiday together, no? Make way for Hobbiday. What is Hobbiday? The big trend in 2024 travel is Hobbiday. A portmanteau of the words 'hobby' and 'holiday', for the holidays that you don't want to be plain holidays. So, think those pottery lessons that you took as a kid and then forgot about in the mad race between work and home? A hobbiday is just the answer. The pandemic-driven YOLO has seeped into the travel industry too. In 2024, travel is no longer about just visiting a place. After all, how much sight-seeing can you do if your trip is centred on one city; and spans, say, two weeks? Travel has now become about incorporating experiences too. Experience scores one over plain travel Sajin Nawshad, director, Akbar Travels Pvt Ltd, spoke to India Today about the shifts he is noticing in travellers, especially since Covid. "As modern travellers evolve, the traditional sightseeing routine for two weeks has given way to a growing sense of holiday fatigue. People crave more than just passive observation; they seek active engagement. Hence, the rising demand for holidays centred around personal hobbies," says Nawshad. Travellers don't mind paying a steep amount for these customised holidays either, says Nawshad, "Whether it's the thrill of driving experiences or other niche interests, these tailored vacations cater to individual preferences, creating a more fulfilling and rejuvenating experience. This trend has notably gained momentum since the onset of the Covid era, emphasising a desire for meaningful and personally enriching escapes."

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This Indian City Is The Most Pocket-Friendly Tourist Destination For 2024

From the majestic Qutub Minar, the iconic India Gate, and the lively Chandni Chowk to the cosmopolitan Khan Market, New Delhi offers a range of attractions for tourists exploring the beauty and culture of the city. The capital city is one of the premier tourist destinations in India for travellers, both from within the country and abroad. In a recent study, it has been revealed that New Delhi is also the most affordable travel destination in the world for 2024. Securing the top spot on the list of “Most Affordable Travel Destinations For 2024”, India’s capital is followed by Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, in the second position, and Cairo, the capital of Egypt, in the third. For globetrotters planning their travel bucket list for 2024, understanding the top ten most pocket-friendly cities is crucial, and we have compiled all the essential details. HOME NEWS THIS INDIAN CITY IS THE MOST POCKET-FRIENDLY TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2024 This Indian City Is The Most Pocket-Friendly Tourist Destination For 2024 Budget-conscious travellers, find out what makes these 10 cities the most affordable travel destinations in the world for 2024. BY PRIYAJA BAKSHI Published on Jan 18, 2024, 10:40 AM Image credit: Vibgyor Studios/Shutterstock From the majestic Qutub Minar, the iconic India Gate, and the lively Chandni Chowk to the cosmopolitan Khan Market, New Delhi offers a range of attractions for tourists exploring the beauty and culture of the city. The capital city is one of the premier tourist destinations in India for travellers, both from within the country and abroad. In a recent study, it has been revealed that New Delhi is also the most affordable travel destination in the world for 2024. Securing the top spot on the list of “Most Affordable Travel Destinations For 2024”, India’s capital is followed by Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, in the second position, and Cairo, the capital of Egypt, in the third. For globetrotters planning their travel bucket list for 2024, understanding the top ten most pocket-friendly cities is crucial, and we have compiled all the essential details. Wethrift conducted a comprehensive research study to identify the “Most Affordable Travel Destinations For 2024”, highlighting ten cities around the world where travellers can explore without surpassing their budgets. The selection criteria included factors such as the number of direct flight routes, passenger footfall, cost of tourist attractions, affordability of public transport, prices of meals, food shops, hotels, B&Bs, and Airbnb apartments for the weekend for two people. Taking these factors into consideration, here are the most pocket-friendly travel destinations for 2024: New Delhi, India – 69.2/80 Hanoi, Vietnam – 63/80 Cairo, Egypt – 61/80 Istanbul, Turkey – 59.3/80 Hurghada, Egypt – 59.2/80 Bali, Indonesia – 53/80 Bangkok, Thailand – 52.6/80 Marrakech, Morocco – 49.7/80 Phuket, Thailand – 45.8/80 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 44.7/80 HOME NEWS THIS INDIAN CITY IS THE MOST POCKET-FRIENDLY TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2024 This Indian City Is The Most Pocket-Friendly Tourist Destination For 2024 Budget-conscious travellers, find out what makes these 10 cities the most affordable travel destinations in the world for 2024. BY PRIYAJA BAKSHI Published on Jan 18, 2024, 10:40 AM Image credit: Vibgyor Studios/Shutterstock From the majestic Qutub Minar, the iconic India Gate, and the lively Chandni Chowk to the cosmopolitan Khan Market, New Delhi offers a range of attractions for tourists exploring the beauty and culture of the city. The capital city is one of the premier tourist destinations in India for travellers, both from within the country and abroad. In a recent study, it has been revealed that New Delhi is also the most affordable travel destination in the world for 2024. Securing the top spot on the list of “Most Affordable Travel Destinations For 2024”, India’s capital is followed by Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, in the second position, and Cairo, the capital of Egypt, in the third. For globetrotters planning their travel bucket list for 2024, understanding the top ten most pocket-friendly cities is crucial, and we have compiled all the essential details. Ten of the most affordable tourist places in the world Image credit: Guitar photographer/Shutterstock Wethrift conducted a comprehensive research study to identify the “Most Affordable Travel Destinations For 2024”, highlighting ten cities around the world where travellers can explore without surpassing their budgets. The selection criteria included factors such as the number of direct flight routes, passenger footfall, cost of tourist attractions, affordability of public transport, prices of meals, food shops, hotels, B&Bs, and Airbnb apartments for the weekend for two people. Taking these factors into consideration, here are the most pocket-friendly travel destinations for 2024: New Delhi, India – 69.2/80 Hanoi, Vietnam – 63/80 Cairo, Egypt – 61/80 Istanbul, Turkey – 59.3/80 Hurghada, Egypt – 59.2/80 Bali, Indonesia – 53/80 Bangkok, Thailand – 52.6/80 Marrakech, Morocco – 49.7/80 Phuket, Thailand – 45.8/80 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 44.7/80 Boasting over 145 flight routes, New Delhi secured the top spot, scoring 69.2/80 points. Travellers spend an average of GBP 1.90 (approx. INR 200) per meal, and tourist attractions cost an average of GBP 50.89 (approx. INR 5,368). Hanoi ranks second on the list and is the most affordable beach destination globally, with accommodation costing an average of GBP 32.42 (approx. INR 3,420), and meals averaging GBP 1.71 (approx. INR 180). Cairo stands out as third, with the average traveller spending GBP 38.19 (approx. INR 4,028) on tourist attractions, and the average meal costing GBP 3.86 (approx. INR 407).

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Political strikes in Finland to cause major travel delays next month

Travellers in Finland will be faced with major air traffic disruption next month after several trade unions on Friday announced 48-hour industrial action against the government’s planned labour market reforms. Major delays and flight cancellations are expected across the country and airports are likely to close after members of the Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors (JHL), which represents about 12,000 airport workers, are set to join the two-day walkout planned from 1 to 2 February. National carrier Finnair in a statement said it is “currently assessing the extent of the impact” on its flight schedule, adding “it is already now clear that the political strike will have a significant impact on Finnair's operations, and will result in flight cancellations”. The carrier said it has approximately 60,000 customers whose travel plans may be affected by the strike and is now offering those customers the option to change their booking. Travellers with a Finnair booking between 31 January and 3 February can now choose to travel earlier or postpone their travel until 15 March, 2024, according to the carrier. "It is clear that the strike will cause flight cancellations, and we hope that as many customers as possible will find a suitable replacement flight well in advance and thus can avoid uncertainty in their travel plans," said Jari Paajanen, vice president, operations control at Finnair. "We also ask customers to be patient, as our customer service may become congested due to the situation." While no changes have yet been made to the carrier’s flight schedule, Finnair said it will start cancelling flights once the effects of the strike on Finnair's traffic have become clearer. "We communicate directly to customers about changes to their flights as soon as flight cancellations are made," Paajanen added. As well as flight delays, further disruption is expected across airport ground services, baggage handling and food and beverage catering for flights during the industrial action. The wide-ranging political strike is also likely to affect public transport and services at banks, supermarkets, hotels and child care.

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International Tourism to reach Pre-Pandemic Levels in 2024

According to the first UNWTO World Tourism Barometer of the year, international tourism ended 2023 at 88% of pre-pandemic levels, with an estimated 1.3 billion international arrivals. The unleashing of remaining pent-up demand, increased air connectivity, and a stronger recovery of Asian markets and destinations, are expected to underpin a full recovery by the end of 2024. Middle East, Europe and Africa performed strongest in 2023 The latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer provides a comprehensive overview of the sector's performance in 2023, tracking recovery by global region, sub-region and destination. Key takeaways include: - The Middle East led recovery in relative terms as the only region to overcome pre-pandemic levels with arrivals 22% above 2019. - Europe, the world's most visited region, reached 94% of 2019 levels, supported by intra-regional demand and travel from the United States. - Africa recovered 96% of pre-pandemic visitors and Americas reached 90%. - Asia and the Pacific reached 65% of pre-pandemic levels following the reopening of several markets and destinations. However, performance is mixed, with South Asia already recovering 87% of 2019 levels and North-East Asia around 55%. Available data shows several destinations, including both large, established destinations as well as small and emerging ones, reporting double-digit growth in international arrivals in 2023 when compared to 2019. Four sub-regions exceeded their 2019 arrival levels: Southern Mediterranean Europe, Caribbean, Central America and North Africa. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: "The latest UNWTO data underscores tourism's resilience and rapid recovery, with pre-pandemic numbers expected by the end of 2024. The rebound is already having a significant impact on economies, jobs, growth and opportunities for communities everywhere. These numbers also recall the critical task of progressing sustainability and inclusion in tourism development" International tourism hit US$1.4 trillion in 2023 The latest UNWTO data also highlights the economic impact of recovery. International tourism receipts reached USD 1.4 trillion in 2023 according to preliminary estimates, about 93% of the USD 1.5 trillion earned by destinations in 2019. Total export revenues from tourism (including passenger transport) are estimated at USD 1.6 trillion in 2023, almost 95% of the USD 1.7 trillion recorded in 2019. Preliminary estimates on the economic contribution of tourism, measured in tourism direct gross domestic product (TDGDP) point to USD 3.3 trillion in 2023, or 3% of global GDP. This indicates a recovery of pre-pandemic TDGDP driven by strong domestic and international tourism. Several destinations reported strong growth in international tourism receipts during the first ten to twelve months of 2023, exceeding in some cases growth in arrivals. Strong demand for outbound travel was also reported by several large source markets this period, with many exceeding 2019 levels. The sustained recovery is also reflected in the performance of industry indicators. According to the UNWTO Tourism Recovery Tracker, both international air capacity and passenger demand recovered about 90% of pre-pandemic levels through October 2023 (IATA). Global occupancy rates in accommodation establishments reached 65% in November, slightly above 62% in November 2022 (based on STR data). Looking Ahead to 2024 International tourism is expected to fully recover pre-pandemic levels in 2024, with initial estimates pointing to 2% growth above 2019 levels. This central forecast by UNWTO remains subject to the pace of recovery in Asia and to the evolution of existing economic and geopolitical downside risks. The positive outlook is reflected in the latest UNWTO Tourism Confidence Index survey, with 67% of tourism professionals indicating better or much better prospects for 2024 compared to 2023. Some 28% expect similar performance, while only 6% expect tourism performance in 2024 to be worse than last year. Key considerations include: There is still significant room for recovery across Asia. The reopening of several source markets and destinations will boost recovery in the region and globally. Chinese outbound and inbound tourism is expected to accelerate in 2024, due to visa facilitation and improved air capacity. China is applying visa-free travel for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia for a year to 30 November 2024. Visa and travel facilitation measures will promote travel to and around the Middle East and Africa with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to implement a unified tourist visa, similar to the Schengen visa, and measures to facilitate intra-African travel in Kenya and Rwanda. Europe is expected to drive results again in 2024. In March, Romania and Bulgaria will join the Schengen area of free movement, and Paris will host the Summer Olympics in July and August. Strong travel from the United States, backed by a strong US dollar, will continue to benefit destinations in the Americas and beyond. As in 2023, robust source markets in Europe, the Americas and the Middle East, will continue to fuel tourism flows and spending around the world. Economic and geopolitical headwinds continue to pose significant challenges to the sustained recovery of international tourism and confidence levels. Persisting inflation, high interest rates, volatile oil prices and disruptions to trade can continue to impact transport and accommodations costs in 2024. - Against this backdrop, tourists are expected to increasingly seek value for money and travel closer to home. Sustainable practices and adaptability will also play an increasing role in consumer choice. - Staff shortages remain a critical issue, as tourism businesses face a shortfall in labor to cope with high demand. - The evolution of the Hamas-Israel conflict may disrupt travel in the Middle East and impact traveler confidence. Uncertainty derived from the Russian aggression against Ukraine as well as other mounting geopolitical tensions, continue to weigh on confidence.

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Republic Day curbs: No flights at Delhi Airport from 10.20am to 12.45pm till Jan 26

In an official statement, the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said that no flights would be allowed to take off or arrive at the airport between 10:20 am and 12:45 pm from January 19 to January 26 in view of Republic Day celebrations. The official added that landing or take-off of non-scheduled flights, and chartered flights will not be permitted from 10 am to 1.15 pm during the January 19-25 period. Dress rehearsals have already begun in the national capital in view of R-Day celebrations. The Delhi Police also issued an advisory for traffic restrictions in central Delhi. The police said that traffic movement will be restricted at Kartavya Path-Rafi Marg Crossing, Kartavya Path-Janpath Crossing, Kartavya Path-Mansingh Road Crossing and Kartavya Path-C Hexagon from 10.15 am to 12.30 pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Additionally, the Kartavya Path stretch between India Gate and Vijay Chowk will also remain closed for any traffic movement, the police said. Motorists have been asked to follow real-time traffic updates shared by police personnel for hassle-free travel. The DMRC also advised passengers to plan their journeys considering the possibility of long queues at metro stations during the specified period. The 75th Republic Day celebrations will be held at the Kartavya Path on January 26. The procession commences with the President's arrival. Subsequently, the national flag is unfurled, accompanied by the rendition of the national anthem and a 21-gun salute. The French President Emmanuel Macron will be the chief guest of this year's Republic Day celebrations. The event highlights the nation's military strength by displaying missiles, tanks, and other equipment. In addition to the military showcase, different states and union territories will participate in the celebrations by presenting vibrant tableaux depicting their culture, heritage, and thematic elements.

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