Summer trips: Travel firms rain discounts

PATNA: With travel companies raining offers of discount and summer vacations only a fortnight or so away, many Patnaites are busy chalking out their holiday plans.
Many families have already booked holiday packages to avail of the price cuts offered for early birds. “In summer, the Amarnath shrine is one of the most preferred destinations among Patnaites.The package is available for Rs 17,000, excluding tickets,” said Shailesh Kumar, who runs a travel agency located on Exhibition Road.
Sikkim and other hill stations are also popular among Patnaites in May and June. “Over the last couple of years, there has been a sharp rise in family trips whereas business and promotional trips have decreased,” Kumar said, adding packages are tailored according to the budget, requirements and preferences of tourists.
City tour operators claim families mostly prefer budget packages that include accommodation in a 2 or 3-star hotel, train or flight fares, sightseeing, pick up and drop service from the airport or railway station and meals. “International travel is also catching the fancy of city residents. With packages starting from as less as Rs 10,000 per person, Thailand, Hong Kong, Mauritius and other countries of Southeast Asia are popular holiday destinations of Patnaites,” tour operator Manohar Pandey said, adding bookings for summer holidays commenced in January.
However, travel agents suggest customers should check the inclusions and exclusions before taking the final call on any offer. “Especially when travelling to a foreign shore, tourists should check whether or not airfare, airport tax and visa charges, accommodation, meals, pick up and drop service and local sightseeing costs (private or seat-in-coach basis) are included in the package. Customers will have to pay extra for all non-inclusions,” Pandey said and suggested to check the itinerary carefully before making the payment.
Net-savvy residents can also compare the packages offered by different travel agencies such as MakeMyTrip, Cox & Kings and Thomas Cook etc to choose a package which suits their pockets. “Most of the small tour operators ultimately tag with the bigger ones for international trips so customers can check it too,” a passport and visa service agent said.