The coolest deals to the hottest destinations

Is the travel bug biting you?
If you're in the mood for some sun 'n fun, river rafting, safari, adventure, riding, or in a devotional mood, or need some scenic quiet, or a romantic getaway, here's your chance. And what's more, it comes at an unbelievable, irresistable, never before price!

There are Red Hot Deals, Featured Packages and Smart Fares with as many payment options just waiting to be taken. So, whether you're heading for an international or a domestic destination, now's the time to go.

The global recession had taken its toll worldwide, on all sectors of the economy, but the Sept 11 attack, crippled the tourism industry so badly that it turned out to be the biggest casualty of all. According to India Today, the apex body of the US travel industry, has forecasted an 11% drop in business travel and a 9% drop in leisure travel by Americans after 9/11. However, the industry is bouncing back, turning adversity into opportunity. In an effort to revive the industry, they are now offering big bargains at incredible discounts

On the Indian front
‘A fresh beginning has to be made if India has to tide over the crisis’, says Mr Jagmohan, Minister for Tourism.

Bearing in mind that tourism is a big source of employment generation and foreign exchange earning and that every million rupee invested in tourism creates 48 jobs as compared to 12 jobs in manufacturing, India is going all out to give special boost to domestic tourism, particularly the tourism connected with pilgrimage and use the new facilities and infrastructure created in this regard to serve as a back bone for international tourism in times to come. The name of the game now is to propagate India as a safe destination, tap the far-eastern markets and start a reformation movement in India to inculcate a 'work culture' of the highest class.

Right now the industry is discovering that India has a domestic traveller who can more than make up for the substantial drop in videshi arrivals. Star hotels and heritage resorts, big tour operators and airlines, which exclusively targeted foreign tourists, are now going all out to woo the desi tourists.

Theres a package for every pocket and segment
It's a great time to go on vacation as the industry pulls out all stops - incredible holiday packages, slashed room rates and rockbottom airfares. Popular summer destinations are usually to the US, Europe and the Far East while winter destinations are restricted to neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and sometimes to Africa.

While God's own country, Kerala, has always been a hotspot to the discerning tourist with its beaches, backwaters, hills and ayuirvedic therapies, Rajasthan, that solely depended on the foreign tourist, has been badly hit. Hoteliers in Shimla are wooing tourists with 70% discounts.

Some of the packages offered by travel and tour operators are mentioned below:

Singapore & Malaysia (6 nights/7 days)
Tour Price Per Person on twin sharing : Rs. 15,500 + USD 155
Includes : Hotel accommodation, economy class return airfare - ex Bangalore and Return airport transfers.
Extras - visa fees, airport taxes and meals.

Sri Lanka (3 nights/4 days)
HOTEL Rates per person
Colombo Hilton - 5 star USD 205
Inter Continental - 4 star USD 170
Grand Oriental - 3 star USD 160
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
3 nights on twin sharing basis, ABF daily, Airport transfers, Half-day city sights tour,Full day Kandy tour

Maldives (2 nights/3 days)
LOHIFUSHI RESORT
Superior A/C Room USD 245
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
2 Nights accommodation on twin sharing basis, Full board - all meals included, Return speedboat transfers from/to airport, Maldivian bed tax.

Munnar (3 nights/4 days)
Hotel Club MahindraCLUB MAHINDRA
Per couple Rs13,299/-, Child >5 and < 12 yrs - RS.1950 / 1050
Valid from 01 Oct 2001 To 19th Dec 2001
Valid from 06th Jan 2002 To 31sr Mar 2002
Extendable on prorate basis
PACKAGE INCLUDES :
Accommodation in Studio Room, Welcome drink on arrival, Daily entertainment by the Fun Rovers, Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner daily ( Buffet only ), 15% discount on laundry, Ale Carte, Telephone and Beauty Parlour, 25% discount on Auyrvedic Massage, Parting gifts, Halfday Munnar sight seeing, Two Children below the age of 12 will be accommodated, free with out Extra Bed, 04th Night would be complimentary only on 03Nts package, Trip to tea estate, All applicable taxes

Shimla - 3 nights/4 days - all meals, unlimited drinks - Rs7,500/- per couple
Goa - 3 nights/4 days - airfare ex Mumbai - Rs7,550/- per head
Mauritius - 6 nights/7 days - 3-star hotel - airport transfers, 2 meals a day, sightseeing, undersea walk - Rs10,272/- ex-Delhi
Singapore - 3 nights/4 days - airport transfers, breakfast, sightseeing, boat ride - Rs 6,336/-.
Sri Lanka - 4 nights/5 days - airport transfers, breakfast, sightseeing, return air tickets to Mumbai - Rs 21,000/- per couple

The coolest deals to the hottest destinations (roundtrip)
• Mumbai - Kuala Lumpur Rs 12,350
• Mumbai - Bangkok Rs 10,850
• Mumbai - Singapore Rs 12,350
• Delhi - Bangkok Rs 14,345
• Delhi - Singapore Rs 15,365

It's a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to go places at an unbelievable price. So get in touch with with a few travel agents to get the best deal. Then, pack your bags and Bon Voyage!

Source: India Today