Pune: As the Christmas and New Year holiday season approaches, travellers eyeing popular domestic destinations are bracing for soaring hotel tariffs. In hotspots like Goa, Coorg, Jaipur, and Munnar, luxury accommodation is charging anywhere between Rs 15,000 and Rs 30,000 or more per night around Christmas. Srinagar, meanwhile, is seeing 5-star properties priced as high as Rs 15,000 to Rs 38,000 per night.
Nikhil Thakurdas, CEO of Odyssey Tours and Travels, said these steep rates, coupled with limited availability in Rajasthan due to the wedding season, have prompted many Indian tourists to turn their attention to international travel, where affordability has become the USP. “Thailand, Vietnam and Sri Lanka have thus become popular choices this holiday season.”
Sri Lanka has emerged as the top choice for budget-conscious travellers this year, he said. “With per-room costs in some top 5-star hotels being lower than or comparable to those in India, travellers are opting to spend the holiday in Sri Lanka instead of choosing a domestic destination. For example, the per-night cost for a 5-star stay in Colombo during the Christmas period ranges from Rs 6,000 to Rs 16,000 in several properties, making it an affordable option.”
South Korea, bolstered by the global popularity of K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean cuisine, has also climbed the ranks to become a favorite among Indian holidaymakers, Thakurdas said. “Australia and South Africa are also gaining traction as summer getaways in the Southern Hemisphere. Domestically, Kerala and Rajasthan remain top picks, with cities like Jaipur and Udaipur leading in travel queries. However, concerns about pollution and fog-related disruptions have steered many away from Delhi and Agra,” he added.
Santosh Gupta, owner of Shree Vinayak Holidays, said hotel room prices have surged in popular tourist destinations.
“Domestic 3-star hotels are now priced at a minimum Rs 6,000 per night without breakfast. For domestic destinations, 5-star hotels start at Rs 12,000 per night or more. For example, a 3-star hotel in Coorg costs a family Rs 15,600 per night around Dec 23, while a 4-star hotel in Coorg costs Rs 19,800 per night. Similar rates apply to hotels in Mysuru. This is one reason travellers are opting for some international destinations where even 3-star hotels offer good services and are comparatively cheaper,” he said.
Rishikesh Pujari, director at Vihar Travels, said usually, the rise in room costs at popular destinations around Christmas is about 30% compared to normal days. “However, this time, there has seen an increase of around 50%. For example, rooms in Munnar and Ayodhya are nearly fully booked, driving up prices for available properties. A basic 2-star hotel room is now Rs 3,500-Rs 4,000 per night, while a 3-star hotel costs as much as Rs 8,000-Rs 9,000 per night at these destinations. Even Mount Abu in Rajasthan is sold out, with room prices for 3-star hotels reaching Rs 9,000 per night compared to the usual Rs 5,000 per night.”
Many are choosing international destinations like Vietnam, Bali, and Thailand instead, Pujari said. “The new direct flight from Pune to Thailand has made it an even more attractive option. Additionally, airfare and hotel rates in these destinations are comparatively lower. For instance, a 4-star hotel room in Bali or Vietnam costs Rs 6,000-Rs 7,000 per night due to currency devaluation, making them affordable holiday choices.”
Quote box
Nikhil Thakurdas, CEO of Odyssey Tours and Travels: “There’s significant interest in the Northern Lights this winter—not just for Christmas and New Year, but for the entire season, as it marks the peak of the 11-year solar cycle, offering the best sightings. Finnish Lapland has emerged as the most sought-after destination to experience this phenomenon, thanks to its range of activities, including husky sledding, icebreaker cruises, snowmobile rides, and more.”
Recent Comments