This optimism is triggered by the feel-good factor in the wake of the Sensex touching record-high levels last week and a slew of discount offers by airlines to boost travel demand.
“Diwali season was flat for tour operators, but we are now expecting growth during Christmas holidays.
"A majority of the bookings for Christmas tours happen after Diwali.
"There has been a positive sentiment around recent Reserve Bank of India actions and Sensex hitting record high.
"We expect growth in travel to south-east Asia,” said Rajji Rai, former president of Travel Agents Association of India.
His views are echoed by Subhash Goyal, president of Indian Association of Tour Operators, who said travel demand during Diwali was lacklustre.
While the inbound travel was impacted due to the economic downturn in Europe, “outbound business was not very exciting for tour operators”, Goyal noted. Rai pointed out that airlines such as Jet Airways now offer discount fares to Bangkok and Kathmandu.
GoAir, too, has introduced special discount to celebrate its eighth anniversary.
According to Rai, travel agents anticipate another round of fare hike by domestic airlines if demand elasticity remains firm.
“The booking trends for the November-December period indicate that demand for travel continues to grow,” said Karan Anand, head (relationships) at Cox &
PM's council wants govt to cut stake in banks to 51%
Sky-high fares hit air travel in India
CHAT: How you can travel AND make money!
Over 30% Indian tourists are Gujaratis: Tourism ministry
Canada's Buffett is Thomas Cook's new travel partner