Thaindian News

New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Frolicking in the crystal-clear waters of the Maldives, delving into exotic dishes in Uzbekistan, sipping a Martini in Thailand…if you want the world at your feet on your honeymoon, the travel agencies are ready.

Usually, it is the holiday season when the travel portals witness a huge rush, but the upcoming wedding season is equally happening as industry experts say they witness around a 15-20 percent rise in demand.

“October, November and December are the favourite months for travellers. With the festival season rolling in, things just get better. October alone witnesses a 15-20 percent increase in passenger traffic,” Sabina Chopra, co-founder and EVP operations, yatra.com, told IANS.

“Honeymooners are interested in destinations offering a mix of luxurious living, adventure sports and scenic and exotic getaways. But at the same time it shouldn’t burn a hole in the pocket,” added Chopra.

Keyur Joshi, COO and co-founder, MakeMyTrip, said: “Typically the honeymoon season starts from Navratra, therefore the inquiries for honeymoon packages are maximum during this time. In winter, it peaks from November to February and during summer, it starts from April.”

Be it domestic destinations like Kerala, the Andamans, Manali and Ooty or international spots like Phuket, Mauritius, the Maldives, Australia and New Zealand, travel portals and agencies are luring newlyweds with their attractive offers.

MakeMyTrip has launched special honeymoon packages. For the Andamans it costs Rs.27,999 per person, while for Kerala it’s Rs.37,999 per person. If you are eyeing international destinations, four nights in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is priced at Rs.30,990 per person and a package of four nights in the Maldives costs Rs.54,999.

Packages are also theme-based.

“Newlyweds can choose their best suited holiday from a vast bouquet of themes likes beach, romantic, luxury and adventure. So, the popular international honeymoon destinations remain Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Maldives, Uzbekistan, Kerala, the Andamans, Manali, Ooty,” said Joshi.

With such tempting offers, honeymooners like Harshit Arora are having a tough time. The 28-year-old is busy picking the best buy for his honeymoon, and has so far zeroed in on the Maldives.

“With overseas travel becoming so cheap, one definitely wants to head to a place which is romantic, yet not so boring…there should be the fun element as well, and most importantly it has to be a shopper’s paradise, so that your better half is not bored,” Arora said.

Neetika Agarwal, 26, who is due to tie the knot in December, says travel agents and portals have made life easier.

“These ready packages are such a relief. Otherwise, one would have to spend days planning and deciding the best possible flights, hotels and must visit destinations in the place of travel. At least all that hassle is now taken away, and all we have to do is…pay, fly and enjoy,” said Agarwal.

Joshi also points out that newlyweds usually avoid group departures, unless the price is alluring enough.

“The demand is high for exclusive holidays. However, if a couple gets a great deal on group departures, they usually don’t mind,” he said.

(Shilpa Raina can be contacted at shilpa.r@ians.in)