Year-end uncorks City's footloose spirits

Year-end uncorks City's footloose spirits
DH News Service, Bangalore:
Travel and tour operators in the City have never had it so good as almost all their packages have received an overwhelming response...


After slogging it out through the year, it’s time for the much-needed break and that is exactly what Bangaloreans are doing as 2007 winds up.

Hot spot tourist destinations like Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala and the tried and tested Goa have emerged as the favourites as far as the domestic sector is concerned. On the international circuit, it is the South-East Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong which are the most preferred destinations during this Christmas and New Year.

Travel and tour operators in the City have never had it so good as almost all their packages have received an overwhelming response.

“Christmas and New Year is traditionally a season for holidays and leisure. This year, most of the packages — be it on the domestic or international circuits — have received a good response. A Sri Lankan tour package on offer at throwaway fares has been sold out even before the last booking date,” Rakesh P, director, Jagadish Air Travels Private Limited said.

With direct flights from City to many exotic spots, Singapore and Hong Kong are the new favourites. Agencies are offering packages on these routes and one that has struck a chord with Bangaloreans is the five-night Royal Caribbean Cruise package in Singapore which starts at Rs 85,000 per person.

Exclusive family packages are also on the offer and the most notable among them is the three-night package to Hong Kong Disneyland.

Thailand and Malaysia are the other destinations that continue to remain favourites. “The weather at Thailand is favourable for outdoor activity and adventure and its beaches, especially Phuket, are ideal to stress out,” said Yogesh Raj who will be on a two-week vacation to Thailand and Malaysia.

Back home, it is Goa and Kerala which are on top of the travellers’ itinerary choices, along with Jammu and Kashmir where it has already started to snow. “Goa is a Vanilla destination and Kerala is also catching up,” said Rakesh.

HolidayIQ.com, a leading travel guide and research community has listed Pondicherry, Panchgani, Lansdowne and Shillong as the tourists’ most preferred destinations.

Extended weekend

The extended weekend, set to end on Tuesday next, has also fanned the instincts of the outward bound.

Bandipur, Belur-Halebid, Karwar and Coorg are the most sought-after destinations.

The state-owned road transport corporation and railways are running additional buses and trains to meet the extra demand. The South Western Railways has added one or two additional coaches to all destinations from Bangalore from Friday onwards.

BANGALORE SMITTEN BY TRAVEL BUG

*Tour operators never had it so good with the City crowd packing their bags en masse

*Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala and Goa favourite desi getaways for Christmas and New Year

*Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong top the list on videsi circuit

*Exclusive family packages in demand