Holidayers set for New Year splurge

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Anika during her trip to the Andamans

When it comes to holidays, it seems Delhiites are all for splurging on extravagant vacations around this New Year. From renting villas to exploring faraway destinations, holidayers are all set to enjoy a memorable vacation to ring in the new year. According to travel agencies, when it comes to luxurious holidays, money is no bar for Delhiwallas.

“There has been about 15 per cent increase in the number of people enquiring about holiday options. And Delhi is the top third city in the country from where we are getting maximum holiday inquiries. Also, so far mostly middle-aged people or families used to book high-end holiday packages but now more and more youngsters are willing to splurge on holidays,” says Jackson Fernandez, general manager, Wego, an online travel search engine.
Anika Sarin, a graphic designer, insists that young age is the right time to splurge on vacations. “I have no qualms about spending money on having a good time. After all, that’s what we work hard for,” laughs Anika, who is just back from a trip to the Andaman Islands. “So when I went for a holiday recently, I splurged on the best accommodation and travelling options available,” she says.
While some are travelling to far away, high-priced destinations like France, Greece, Bali, Phuket, Sydney and Dubai, some are busy booking a cruise. “Cruises are gaining popularity among domestic tourists. Though the prices for cruises around New Year increase by about 40 percent, we are already sold out for Goa, Sunderban and Kerala cruises,” says Manoj Mishra, senior tour consultant from Indian Holiday Pvt. Ltd, who adds that the cruise booking starts from `30,000 and goes up to `4 lakh.
When it comes to holidays, Delhiites look for not just fun but also luxurious and private moments, says Sid Narang, founder, CEO ratedapartments.com. “Renting villas is a new way to enjoy comfortable holidaying. The cost of renting a villa may start from `1,500 per person for one night and can easily reach up to `1 lakh for five nights,” adds Narang.
For a travel enthusiast Suyash Shukla, a holiday is a time for self-pampering. “A few months back, I went to Goa for a holiday with my friends. We had about 20 housekeepers for eight of us. It was an amazing experience. Though we ended up spending a big chunk of our savings, we do not regret splurging on this vacation since it was all worth it,” says Suyash, who now planning where to go next around New Year.