Thaindian News

New Delhi, May 13 (IANS) With around 9 million Indian travellers all set to travel around the country and abroad this holiday season, the country’s aviation and hospitality sector are expecting increased profits, says a report by an industry chamber.

According to information gathered by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) from its various regional offices across India, despite airlines gearing up to hike airfares, passenger traffic to popular tourist destinations in India and abroad is likely to escalate by 35 to 40 percent and in some cases, by almost 50 percent compared to last year.

“With huge disposable income and rising spending power of senior corporate executives, high-end professionals in private sector, government officials holding senior positions etc., this year more people are planning on vacationing abroad,” said D.S. Rawat, secretary general, ASSOCHAM.

“The young crowd including school and college going kids are opting for tourist hot-spots in India. This has fuelled the steady increase in the hotel occupancy and domestic tourism”, added Rawat.

According to the report, popular Indian tourist spots include the coastal regions like Goa, Kerala, Puducherry, Rameswaram (in Tamil Nadu) and the northern hilly destinations like Darjeeling, Mcleodganj, Shimla, Nainital, Mussoorie and Kashmir valley etc.

As far as the international destinations are concerned, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Macau, Dubai, Singapore, Maldives, South Africa etc. are hot favourites for Indians this summer, said ASSOCHAM.

Meanwhile, the Indian hospitality industry is anticipating an upsurge in the tourist footfall and is expected to increase tariffs for hotel accommodation by 25 to 30 percent. In addition, restaurants in these areas have also increased food and beverage costs by 20 to 25 percent, added the report.