It’s raining discounts as Monsoon showers lash India

Monsoon is here and it’s raining discounts in the domestic travel market. Monsoon heralds the arrival of lean season and service providers such as hotels, tour operators and online travel companies are showering customers with offers that are irresistible.

Cox & Kings has introduced a series of discounted packages in the domestic market, For example, if you stay in Kodaikanal for two nights, you pay only for one night. Similarly, if you stay in the Nilgiris or Ladakh for five nights, you pay for only three nights. Similar packages are available for Andamans, Nepal, Bhutan, Daman and Mahabaleshwar.

Those who have missed out on their summer vacations, this is the time to travel, with rates dropping from 15 to 25 per cent in the domestic market. This is also a good time for bargain hunters who want to escape the hustle of city life and want to enjoy vacations among the waterfalls of Cherapunji or the backwaters of Kerala.

According to Karan Anand, Head—Relationships, Cox & Kings, “We have already witnessed an increase in the number of inquiries by 25 to 30 percent and it is primarily the Double Income No Kids (DINKS), segment and those between 21 to 26 that’s driving this market.’’

It is that time of the year when nature comes alive in a landscape of cool, lush greenery and you get to see another side of India. Luxury hotel stays and wildlife treks are amongst the many activities that Indian travellers opt for during the monsoon season.

The monsoons are believed to be a time when the mind and body are most receptive to various forms of healing process.  People indulge in herbal oil massages, therapies and yoga to help restore the body’s vitality, health and balance. Anand further adds, “According to Ayurveda, the monsoon is the best season for rejuvenation therapies, for the atmosphere is dust-free, humid and cool. This encourages a large number of fitness enthusiasts to check-in at ayurvedic resorts in Himachal Pradesh and Kerala.’’

Other destinations that are popular for monsoon are   Wayanad & Munnar (Kerala), Goa, Leh-Ladakh, Matheran, Mahabaleshwar and Konkan Coast (Maharashtra), Coorg (Karnataka), Spiti Valley (Himachal), Shillong (Meghalaya), Darjeeling (West Bengal), Kodaikanal (Tamil Nadu) and Ranikhet (Uttarakhand) are the most favoured monsoon destinations.

Online travel portal, Ezeego1.com is offering up to Rs 2,000 cashback on select domestic airlines between June 1st and 20th and up to 70 per cent discount on select domestic hotel bookings until September 30th.

Speaking of the monsoon holiday concept, Neelu Singh, CEO and Director, Ezeego1.com said, “ Short weekend trips are popular for quick monsoon getaways. Trekking, waterfalls, camping, wellness getaways and night forest trails are some of the experiences that top the preference list of monsoon travellers.  Waterfalls like Athirapally in Kerala, Dudhsagar in Goa, Nohkalikai in Cherrapunji create quite a spectacle for tourists in this season. We have seen a 25 percent increase in our inquiries.

She concludes, “  Road journeys closer home are very popular during the rains. Mumbai to Goa, Chennai to Pondicherry, Bangalore to Coorg, Shillong to Cherrapunji, Darjeeling to Gangtok, Bangalore to Ooty via Bandipur to name a few.’’