KOCHI: Whether it’s a trip to Europe or a vacation in the Gulf, more and more Kochii treat themselves to a break from everyday life and go on vacation on this onam. China, which has fully opened its borders and allowed tourists in after three years of the pandemic, is also proving to be a popular destination for Kochi residents looking to discover new places.
trips to domestic and international destinations are up 200% year-on-year, with tour operators saying they are no longer able to accommodate last-minute requests.
The most popular destinations remain Europe, the Far East and the Persian Gulf countries. Bali and Mauritius are popular among young couples and those who have already visited the countries of the Far East and want a short and cheap vacation.
For those who cannot afford to travel abroad, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are the country’s most popular destinations. For most domestic travelers, the average travel time is five to seven days, while for international travelers it’s seven to ten days.
“All Onam tours are sold out in advance. It is almost impossible
to schedule a last minute flight as we do not have seats on the plane. The situation is that we are now planning a year in advance,” said MK Soman, Managing Director of Somans Tours and Travels.
Since 2000, the number of Indian nationals leaving the country has grown exponentially, with India becoming the largest source market for travelers to Asia in 2022. The country accounted for about 10 million international trips, making it the largest source market, with the main source from Asia. foreign travel market. Indians are expected to do so by 2024
spends more than $42 billion annually on international travel. The Malays are no exception, infected with the bug of discovering new and familiar places alike.
“People like to travel and collect memories.However, these trips need to be planned well in advance in order to get a flight ticket at a reasonable price. Last minute prices are very high for most destinations in India and abroad. Malayali always plan their Onam holidays well in advance,” said Praveen Shetty of New Prime India Cochin Tours and Travels.
