Massive hit to Tourism as tourists are cancelling Christmas-New Year travel plans: Domestic flight fares soar

KOCHI: Huge increase in domestic flight fares to Kerala during Christmas and New Year season. Tourism entrepreneurs said that due to the steep increase in ticket charges, tourists including the ones from North India are cancelling their trips. Passengers are charged about two and a half times more including taxes. Ordinary tourists coming to Kerala cannot afford these rates.

The government has not imposed any restrictions on ticket prices. The Civil Aviation Ministry replied that the rate is being monitored. However, no action has been taken against this robbery.

Those who wanted to go from Kerala to other tourist destinations in the country are also backing out from their travel plans. There are no discounted rates for those who have booked in advance either.

Train travel a misery

Only a small number of tourists reach Kerala by train. With the advent of trains like the Vande Bharat Express, long-distance trains are being completely neglected. Passengers suffer due to lack of cleanliness and comfort in trains. Travel time is also a major issue.

Average airfares for December 22-31

(Off-season rates in brackets)

Delhi- Thiruvananthapuram: 13,900 (6,000)

Delhi- Kochi: 13,000 (6,000)

Thiruvananthapuram-Srinagar: 20,500 (8,000)

Kochi-Srinagar: 19,500 (8,000)

Mumbai- Thiruvananthapuram: 10,500 (4,000)

Mumbai- Kochi: 7,000 (3,500)

Kolkata- Thiruvananthapuram: 16,000 (7,500)

Kolkata- Kochi: 16,000 (7,500)