Travel agents suggest ‘cool’ alternatives for domestic tourists
Times of India | 14 May 2025
123456 Kolkata: Coffee plantations in God's own Country; a hill station in the heart of Eastern Ghats; divine paradise in India's eastern frontier; colonial charm and nature trails with Himalayan views — travel agents are offering tourists from Kolkata an assortment of appetizing options to cooler climes this summer.While Darjeeling and places in Sikkim still remain the favourite go-to domestic destinations for tourists from Bengal in summer, travel agents are urging those who have had to cancel trips to Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh following the terror attack and escalation of tension with Pakistan to try out alternative hill stations.Though India is a tropical country, the vastness of India and its geographical diversity leads to many travel options even during summer across east, north-east, south-west and north India. Flight fares to nearly all destinations are currently at normal level. This indicates that people aren't travelling. That also means good deals at hotels for tourists.For those who are in a dilemma over whether to travel far, agents are suggestingstaycationsin comfortable hotels in places where one can drive down. Travel Agents' Federation of India national committee member Anil Punjabi said staycations that had become popular during the pandemic were again in vogue now with people re-evaluating or cancelling their summer vacation plans due to disruptions stemming from heightened tensions between India and Pakistan."The terror attack and India's apt response following escalations of aerial conflict instilled a sense of fear among travellers.Many believe it is not the right time to go for vacations. They are willing to stay back this season with their families. We hope the situation improves soon," said said Travel Agents' Association of India (TAAI) chairman (east) Anjani Dhanuka.Salt Lake resident Madhura Bagchi was scheduled for a 10-day trip to Kashmir in the last week of April, which she cancelled due to flight restrictions and ongoing tension. Even those who don't mind travelling to Kashmir, Ladakh or Himachal Pradesh post ceasefire are unable to due uncertainties over flights. IndiGo Airlines has not set any clear timeline for when the flights Jammu, Amritsar, Chandigarh and Srinagar could be back. Air India Express, which had a direct flight from Kolkata to Srinagar, has also expressed its inability to provide a date for commencement of the flight, citing security concerns. TAAI national committee member Manav Soni said only a few who had urgent travel requirement were buying flight tickets and then travelling by train when the flights are getting cancelled.