West Asia tensions disrupt summer travel plans; Hyderabad tourists rethink destinations

Uncertainty surrounding the ongoing conflict in West Asia has begun to disrupt summer travel season, forcing many residents to cancel or rethink long-planned international holidays.

Uncertainty surrounding the ongoing conflict in West Asia has begun to disrupt summer travel season, forcing many residents to cancel or rethink long-planned international holidays. Travel operators say bookings have slowed sharply, particularly for routes through the Gulf, while anxious families are either choosing alternative destinations or shelving their plans altogether.

Ratiranjan Shah of Ticket 2 Escape said international travel demand has dropped in recent weeks. “Demand for foreign travel has fallen by nearly 40-50%, whether it is flight tickets or complete tour packages,” he said. “People are hesitant not only about the Gulf but about other international destinations as well. They are doubtful even about places like Thailand or Indonesia.”

Many trips planned a month or two in advance are now being cancelled. “The trend is expected to continue, because once a family cancels a holiday, they usually take time to plan again because travel depends on fixed leave periods. Limited flight availability and rising airfares are additional burdens,” he said.

For some operators, the disruption has meant a near standstill in business. Manoj Biradar, owner of Mannu Tours and Travels in Secunderabad, said enquiries have dropped by around 50% while bookings for the summer have fallen by as much as 90-95%.

“Leisure travel is negligible right now. People are extremely cautious and only urgent travel for family emergencies or medical reasons is happening,” he said. Even religious travel has been affected. “Earlier we would get 2-3 bookings every week for pilgrimage spots. Right now, there is none,” he said.

Anuradha Chetti, founder and chief executive officer of RL Tours and Travels in Ameerpet, said more than 70% of customers who already had bookings are choosing to change destinations rather than cancel the trip altogether. “While demand for destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah has declined, interest in other destinations including Bangkok, Phuket, Bali, Riyadh and Oman has risen over the past few days. Domestic travel, particularly to Kashmir and Leh, has also picked up,” she said.