New Delhi: Travel bookings have surged by up to 30%, led by Delhi-NCR and Chandigarh where deteriorating air quality is prompting residents to escape to the hills and other places with cleaner air this Diwali break.
Officials at travel and hospitality companies such as Thomas Cook, SOTC, Leisure Hotels Group and Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) say domestic tourist traffic is rising steadily every year, especially during the festive season when pollution levels tend to surge.
Air quality is becoming a growing concern, said Rajeev Kale, president & country head-holidays, MICE, Visa at Thomas Cook (India). “Customers are opting for destinations like coffee-tea plantations in Munnar, Coonoor, Sri Lanka, Kashmir, Himachal, and Bhutan to ensure clean environs and a rejuvenating break.”
Secluded Destinations
SD Nandakumar, president & country head, leisure travel & MICE, SOTC Travel, said: “Destinations that are emerging (in addition to the traditional favourites) include the Northeast’s Nagaland and Meghalaya for clean surroundings and stunning natural vistas.”
State-run HPTDC’s stays—more than 50 hotels across budget, deluxe and premium range—are having nearly full occupancy, said Ravinder Sandhu, assistant general manager at Hotel Holiday Home in Shimla.
“All of these are seeing an uptick of 15% in bookings during this festive time over last festive season. Most footfall is now from NCR and Chandigarh. Before this, during Navratri, bookings were led by West Bengal tourists,” Sandhu said.
Raffles Jaipur is also seeing a rush in bookings from Delhi-NCR ahead of Diwali which falls on October 31. “The numbers are showing a positive trend as we are getting closer to the Diwali weekend,” said Binny Sebastian, the hotel’s general manager.
The situation is the same at Six Senses properties at Fort Barwara and Vana. “Many Delhi-NCR residents are seeking to escape the city’s polluted environment, especially during the festive season,” said Rajat Gera, commercial director, Six Senses Fort Barwara in Rajasthan.
According to Gera, many travellers are looking for secluded destinations surrounded by nature.
Dehradun, and specifically Six Senses Vana, has an air quality index (AQI) of less than 50, much lower than the metros, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a pollution-free retreat, said Jaspreet Singh, general manager, Six Senses Vana.
“With the rise in pollution levels and awareness of its health implications, we are anticipating a strong trend of increased bookings from Delhi-NCR,” said Singh.
Air pollution in Delhi remained in the “very poor” category with an AQI of more than 330 at most places on Thursday morning. The high pollution levels are mainly due to crop stubble burning by farmers in neighbouring states, high vehicular emissions, industrial pollution and heavy dust from construction activities.
Many travellers, including those from NCR, are placing greater importance on health and wellbeing by opting for nearby resorts to celebrate the festival, said Shahzad Aslam, head of sales at Leisure Hotels. “The numbers are indicating a rise compared to last year’s Diwali figures,” said Aslam.
Officials at travel and hospitality companies such as Thomas Cook, SOTC, Leisure Hotels Group and Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) say domestic tourist traffic is rising steadily every year, especially during the festive season when pollution levels tend to surge.
Air quality is becoming a growing concern, said Rajeev Kale, president & country head-holidays, MICE, Visa at Thomas Cook (India). “Customers are opting for destinations like coffee-tea plantations in Munnar, Coonoor, Sri Lanka, Kashmir, Himachal, and Bhutan to ensure clean environs and a rejuvenating break.”
Secluded Destinations
SD Nandakumar, president & country head, leisure travel & MICE, SOTC Travel, said: “Destinations that are emerging (in addition to the traditional favourites) include the Northeast’s Nagaland and Meghalaya for clean surroundings and stunning natural vistas.”
State-run HPTDC’s stays—more than 50 hotels across budget, deluxe and premium range—are having nearly full occupancy, said Ravinder Sandhu, assistant general manager at Hotel Holiday Home in Shimla.
“All of these are seeing an uptick of 15% in bookings during this festive time over last festive season. Most footfall is now from NCR and Chandigarh. Before this, during Navratri, bookings were led by West Bengal tourists,” Sandhu said.
Raffles Jaipur is also seeing a rush in bookings from Delhi-NCR ahead of Diwali which falls on October 31. “The numbers are showing a positive trend as we are getting closer to the Diwali weekend,” said Binny Sebastian, the hotel’s general manager.
The situation is the same at Six Senses properties at Fort Barwara and Vana. “Many Delhi-NCR residents are seeking to escape the city’s polluted environment, especially during the festive season,” said Rajat Gera, commercial director, Six Senses Fort Barwara in Rajasthan.
According to Gera, many travellers are looking for secluded destinations surrounded by nature.
Dehradun, and specifically Six Senses Vana, has an air quality index (AQI) of less than 50, much lower than the metros, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a pollution-free retreat, said Jaspreet Singh, general manager, Six Senses Vana.
“With the rise in pollution levels and awareness of its health implications, we are anticipating a strong trend of increased bookings from Delhi-NCR,” said Singh.
Air pollution in Delhi remained in the “very poor” category with an AQI of more than 330 at most places on Thursday morning. The high pollution levels are mainly due to crop stubble burning by farmers in neighbouring states, high vehicular emissions, industrial pollution and heavy dust from construction activities.
Many travellers, including those from NCR, are placing greater importance on health and wellbeing by opting for nearby resorts to celebrate the festival, said Shahzad Aslam, head of sales at Leisure Hotels. “The numbers are indicating a rise compared to last year’s Diwali figures,” said Aslam.
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