Desi travellers gear up for international trips

jet set

Desi travellers gear up for international trips

Dubai for NYE, Europe for summer – Indians are already planning their first post-lockdown holiday abroad

Niharika.Lal@timesgroup.com and Divya.Kaushik@timesgroup.com

29.11.2020

As countries like Dubai, the Maldives, South Africa and Turkey open their borders to tourists, desi travellers are already planning their Christmas, New Year and summer vacations abroad.

“Many are willing to take their first international trip post the lockdown to a leisure destination at a distance of five to six hours of air travel," says Vipul Prakash, chief operating officer at MakeMyTrip.

Many are also lapping up deals for next summer and searching for flexible cancellation options. Prakash says, "Travellers have already started searching for tourist spots in Europe and Turkey for the next year, due to availability of exclusive future travel deals by companies.”

Disha Patani, Katrina Kaif and Varun Dhawan vacationed in Maldives recently

DUBAI, MALDIVES MOST POPULAR DESTINATIONS

Among the top destinations are Dubai and the Maldives, says Prakash and a Yatra.com spokesperson.

“Most of these bookings are from honeymooners and those who do not want to miss the tradition of year-end holidays,” says Shad Siddiqui, managing director, La Vacanza Travel. He adds, "Some other destinations like South Africa are also open for Indian tourists, but lack of direct flights is a major deterrent. Travelling to these destinations is a complicated and long process right now." Mauritius and Armenia are other international destinations open to tourists.