Outbound tourism hamstrung by inadequate flights, high fares
The Hindu
Airlines reluctant to provide group bookings for package tours
Relaxation of COVID curbs in most countries and the yearning to explore the world after being confined to their homes during the pandemic have resulted in Keralites making a beeline to travel abroad, despite the limited number of international flights and high fares.
A group of 24 tourists from Kerala who flew to the U.S. earlier this month – 22 of them visiting that country for the first time, were among the first set of group tourists to land there after the pandemic, after the U.S. opened up its skies on November 8.
The tour was priced at ₹3.45 lakh per person, while an eight-day Europe tour is currently priced at ₹1.63 lakh, said M.K. Soman, managing director of a city-based tour firm. “With U.S. consulates yet to resume issuing of visas, people who had a valid visa were hand-picked for travel. Guests for outbound tours get a special insurance cover of $1,000, just in case they turn positive for COVID,” he said.