Kashmir tops summer travel wishlist as bookings surge 40%

Prayagraj: This summer, residents of the Sangam City have overwhelmingly chosen Kashmir as their favourite domestic holiday destination.Travel operators say bookings for Kashmir have surged significantly, with demand far exceeding availability on several dates. Tourists unable to secure reservations in Kashmir and other popular hill destinations are opting for alternative locations such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, the Northeast, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Goa and Puducherry, while seeking confirmed bookings well in advance.Travel industry executives told TOI that there has been a steep 40% rise in bookings for Kashmir this summer compared to last year, as people seek confirmed travel packages to their preferred domestic destinations. Some travellers have also made international bookings for Thailand, Vietnam, Macau and Singapore, while avoiding Europe and the Middle East due to persisting tensions.They maintained that travellers are willing to shell out extra money to secure confirmed bookings for Kashmir after learning that a majority of hotels in hill regions are already fully booked for June and July.Rahul Khare, owner of a private travel firm, said, “This summer, travellers want to ensure that their travel plans to Kashmir or other destinations are confirmed. After the Pahalgam attack incident last year, there were very few takers for Kashmir bookings. However, there has been a significant surge in bookings for Kashmir this year.“With the beginning of the summer holidays, travellers are keen to go on vacations even if it is not their preferred destination. Those who failed to get bookings in hill regions, including Kashmir, due to overcrowding are ready to confirm tours to Goa, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dwarka and other destinations despite the peak summer season.”Khare added that there has been a surge in bookings for both domestic and international destinations, with people increasingly planning group holidays.Hill destinations in Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Amarnath and the North-East are in high demand on the domestic circuit, while those travelling abroad are opting for Thailand, Vietnam, Macau and Singapore, he said.While Vietnam and Thailand have topped international bookings for June and July, Macau and Singapore have also emerged as popular choices. City-based tour operators said they are receiving a steady stream of inquiries for domestic destinations.Besides, the ongoing heatwave across the plains of Uttar Pradesh has prompted many people to plan trips to hill stations. A travel agency owner in Civil Lines said, “Travellers have made advance bookings for June and July, with Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, the North-East and Uttarakhand emerging as the most preferred destinations.”Vinay Mehrotra, a resident of Civil Lines, said, “With temperatures soaring in the plains, we have planned a trip to Gujarat and Daman in the second week of June.”