Foreign tours drop as Hyderabad travellers cancel plans
HYDERABAD:Â Foreign travel plans for the summer are seeing a sharp decline, with many Hyderabad residents cancelling pre-booked trips as departure dates approach.
Tour operators said the ongoing war in West Asia has triggered safety concerns, prompting travellers to either postpone trips or shift to alternative destinations in East Asia. A section of travellers is also opting for domestic tourism this season.
Many city residents are reviewing their international travel plans due to the uncertain global situation linked to the Gulf conflict. Apart from Europe, travel to North America has also been affected by limited connectivity, higher airfares and broader global uncertainty, tour operators said.
Around 60% bookings cancelled or postponed
Nearly 60% of travellers who had booked foreign tour packages have cancelled them, while others have postponed their plans. Around 20% remain undecided, and about 10% are proceeding with travel, citing operational flights.
Tour operators said many had planned summer visits to European countries, but the war has disrupted these plans. Travellers are reconsidering trips after seeing reports of instability and losses in affected regions.
They noted that most international routes involve transit through hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. Given the prevailing tensions, many prefer postponement over travelling under uncertain conditions. Alternative routes are available but involve longer travel time and significantly higher ticket costs, making them less viable.
Recovery in traveller confidence may take time
The summer season is expected to be the most impacted period for foreign travel. Even if the conflict subsides, restoring traveller confidence especially for transit hubs like Dubai will take time, said Praveen, assistant manager at a travel firm.
Domestic tourism gains momentum
Domestic tourism is likely to see increased demand this summer. Despite concerns over a recent gas supply crisis affecting hotels and restaurants in some cities, operators expect it to be temporary.
Bookings are strong for destinations such as Ayodhya, Hampi, Rishikesh, Varanasi, Ladakh, Kerala, Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and Udaipur.
With forecasts of a hotter summer, more travellers are showing interest in cooler destinations such as Ladakh and Shimla, Praveen said. He added that government assurances on adequate petrol supplies could support the sector’s stability.
