Holidaymakers forgo J&K, Ladakh, Himachal, go for South-East Asia amid border tension
In their place, countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore are becoming the unexpected winners of this year's travel season.
Travel agents across Kolkata report a surge in interest for international vacations, leading to flight prices to South-East Asia climbing steadily. The shift follows mounting security concerns and temporary airport shutdowns in the northern states - factors that have turned the spotlight away from the snow-clad Himalayas toward tropical beaches and bustling Asian cities.
Operation Sindoor
India's air defence systems shoot down Pak drones in J&K, Punjab & Rajasthan
India-Pakistan tensions: Delhi airport issues travel advisory
Operation Sindoor: Multiple explosions heard at several Pakistan air bases
"We are asking travellers to remain cautious and avoid the mountains in north India for the time being. Since Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh tour packages are pretty expensive, we are offering them foreign tours in almost the same money," said Anil Punjabi, national committee member (East) Travel Agents Federation of India.
Manav Soni of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) added that they were also asking tourists to avoid the usual summer hot spots in north India and choose safer destinations in India and abroad.
India has shut down 27 airports across its northern, western, and central regions, causing widespread flight disruptions and travel concerns. From Kolkata, domestic flights from cities including Amritsar, Hindon, Chandigarh, and Srinagar were cancelled, alongside a few international services from Bangladesh's Chittagong and Dhaka.
Kolkata's air traffic control has also revised its flight management strategies in response to restrictions over Pakistan's airspace, mirroring changes made by other ATCs across the country.
Tour operators report growing anxiety among passengers as cancellations, diversions, and even citywide blackouts have thrown travel plans into disarray leading to the mood among Indian travellers change dramatically in just a few days.
Once eager to explore the cool serenity of the mountains, tourists are now prioritising stability, security - and in many cases, foreign experiences. To stay ahead of the demand, travel agencies are pre-booking tickets to destinations like Bali and Bangkok, locking in rates before they surge further.
For Aroon Sahani from Tangra, the change was bittersweet. He and 14 others planned an elaborate eight-day journey through Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonmarg. Now, they are swapping pine forests for palm trees, heading to Bali on May 17.
"This would be my first trip to Kashmir," said Sahani. "All three families in our group were excited. But this just doesn't feel like the right time. We're proud of India standing firm, but we would rather not take risks. Bali felt like the perfect alternative - same cost but different vibe." Abhishek Gupta from Ekbalpore faced a similar dilemma. His Ladakh trip, set for late May, was scrapped when news broke about the temporary airport closure and heightened border conflict.
Now, he is off to Thailand. "I had been to Thailand before, but this will be the first foreign holiday for my wife and son," Gupta said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Nepalese PM Oli to visit India on Sept 16-17: Foreign Ministry sources
Kathmandu, Aug 11 (PTI) Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli is likely to pay an official visit to India from September 16-17, the Foreign Ministry sources said here on Monday. A wide range of issues, such as trade, tourism, information technology, connectivity, hydropower and border, will be discussed during the visit, they added. The Foreign Ministry is currently working towards finalising the agenda and itinerary for the proposed high-level visit, said the Foreign Minister's Press Advisor Ek Raj Pathak. On Monday, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, who would be part of Oli's delegation, said that direct flights between Nepalgunj and Delhi will be on 'top" of her agenda during the upcoming visit to India. 'Direct air connectivity between Nepalgunj, a Western Nepal city, and New Delhi will be my top agenda," Deuba said at a meeting with political leaders, lawmakers and industrialists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 'If this happens, it will certainly change the face of Western Nepal," she said, adding that the government has already done the necessary groundwork to strengthen the necessary infrastructure in the area for the purpose. The people from around 25 districts of Western Nepal will benefit from the proposed direct flight between Nepalgunj and Delhi, Deuba said. Nepalgunj can be the gateway to Kailash-Mansarovar situated in Tibet if we start direct flights between Nepalgunj and Delhi, she added. The proposed flight between the two cities will benefit the people of both countries, she pointed out. Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states – Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Land-locked Nepal relies heavily on India for the transportation of goods and services. Nepal is also important for India in the context of its overall strategic interests in the region, and the leaders of the two countries have often noted the age-old 'Roti Beti" relationship. PTI SBP RD ZH RD RD view comments First Published: August 11, 2025, 19:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
Is it smart to use personal loan to fund your next trip?
Personal loans are increasingly becoming a preferred option for Indians to pay for holidays. A recent consumer insights report, 'How India Travels Using Holiday Loans (Vol. 2.0)' by Paisabazaar, shows that 27% of personal loan borrowers in the first half of 2025 used the money for travel. This is a notable jump from 21% in loans have now overtaken home renovation as a borrowing reason. Loans for home improvements fell to 24% in 2025 from 31% in findings are based on responses from over 5,700 users in 97 Indian cities and towns, and they show a growing appetite for leisure travel, especially among younger borrowers and those living outside major IN SMALLER CITIES Most of the rise in holiday loans is from non-metro India. In 2025, 71% of borrowers came from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, up from 68% in 2023. Cities such as Lucknow, Surat, Jaipur, Patna, and Durgapur have been major comparison, Tier-1 cities made up 29% of such borrowers, slightly down from 32%, showing that smaller cities are driving the Tier-1 metros, Delhi leads with 35% of holiday loan borrowers, followed by Hyderabad at 18%. Mumbai accounts for 15% and Bangalore 14%, while Chennai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad each have a 6% BORROWERS LEAD THE DEMANDThe report points to a sharp increase in borrowing among younger travellers. Gen Z, under the age of 30, made up almost 30% of borrowers in the first half of 2025, more than double their share in 2023. Millennials, aged 30 to 40, remain the largest group at 47%.Borrowers are also showing a preference for smaller loan sizes. About 30% borrowed between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 3 lakh, while 20% borrowed between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1 lakh. This suggests that many prefer to keep repayments manageable and avoid long-term sector salaried employees form the largest share of holiday loan borrowers at 65%. Business owners' share has risen from 12% in 2023 to 17% in 2025. Self-employed professionals account for 12%, while government employees make up 6%.PEAK SEASONS AND POPULAR DESTINATIONSThe highest demand for holiday loans was in January, May, and June 2025, with January alone contributing 21%. These months align with popular winter and summer travel is the top domestic holiday destination for borrowers, with 18% choosing it, followed by Kashmir (16%) and Himachal Pradesh (14%). Internationally, South East Asia is the most popular region with 44% of borrowers, including destinations such as Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and Bali. The Middle East attracts 32%, while the USA and UK together account for 20%.advertisementThe report indicates that financing travel through personal loans is becoming a mainstream choice. Rising financial confidence in smaller cities, the growing participation of younger borrowers, and a preference for smaller loan amounts suggest this trend will IT PRACTICAL TO GO ON A HOLIDAY WITH LOAN MONEYHolidays for most people mean going out with family or friends, spending time on a hill station, beach, or maybe on a riverside to get freedom from work and stress. However, in some cases, going on a vacation on your loan money might just do the opposite to Kumar, Sebi RIA and Founder of SahajMoney, said that while personal loans for travel may seem practical because of easy access and repayment flexibility, the high interest costs make them expensive. 'It could be used as a last option when one is facing a liquidity issue but has stable income and can comfortably manage monthly EMIs,' he advises first-time borrowers to avoid taking a loan for a holiday as it can lead to reliance on credit for non-essential spending. 'Ideally, one should not use a loan for travel as it could lead to a situation where one would start using it as the first option and then fall into a debt trap,' he he recommends building a dedicated travel fund that covers all trip-related borrowing is unavoidable, Kumar suggests maintaining a credit score above 685–730 to get favourable rates, comparing offers from multiple lenders, and ensuring EMIs do not exceed 20–30% of monthly the growing trend of holiday loans, he observed that it reflects the 'YOLO' mindset of the younger generation, who are more willing to take loans for lifestyle expenses rather than essential he cautioned, mirrors risky financial behaviour that could lead to future stress when repayments clash with regular points out that better alternatives exist, such as saving through recurring deposits or liquid funds, which maintain liquidity while earning returns. For short trips, he notes that credit cards can be cost-effective if the bill is paid in full within the 40–50 day interest-free planning a beach escape in Goa or an overseas holiday in Southeast Asia, more Indians are relying on personal loans to turn their travel plans into reality, but experts warn that disciplined financial planning remains the safest The views, opinions, recommendations, and suggestions expressed by experts/brokerages in this article are their own and do not reflect the views of the India Today Group. It is advisable to consult a qualified broker or financial advisor before making any actual investment or trading choices.)- Ends
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
The Art Of Doing Nothing: Luxurious Escapes For The August 15 Long Weekend
This August 15, pick a place where the only thing on your agenda is to feel absolutely unhurried. Forget racing from one tourist attraction to the next or checking off a packed itinerary just to say you've 'done it all." Now picture this: a holiday where the only plan is… no plan at all. No timetables. No rushed sightseeing. No walking 20,000 steps in a day. Just time – unhurried, unstructured, and entirely yours. This is the essence of a do-nothing holiday, a getaway designed not for laziness, but for wellness, balance, and truly absorbing your surroundings at your own pace. Doing nothing can mean anything you want it to: lingering over breakfast, napping in the afternoon sun, floating in a pool, strolling aimlessly through nature, or simply sitting still and watching the world pass by. The goal isn't to avoid experiences — it's to savour them without the pressure of 'fitting it all in." Why August 15 Is the Perfect Excuse This year, August 15 falls on a Friday, creating a long weekend that's practically begging for an escape. If the idea of a frantic city break makes you want to stay home, consider retreating to a luxury property where the pace slows down to match your heartbeat. From a boutique hideaway on the edge of Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve to a historic tea estate in Darjeeling, here are some of India's most idyllic do-nothing destinations for the mid-August break. 1. Sariska Lodge – Sariska, Rajasthan Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Aravalli hills and just steps from the Sariska Tiger Reserve, Sariska Lodge is an intimate luxury retreat that blends nature, wildlife, and comfort. Spread across 15 acres, the property offers 11 beautifully designed private suites, a dining room with indoor and outdoor seating, a wellness centre, an outdoor pool, landscaped gardens, and even an Ashwalaya, a stable of majestic Marwari horses. Perfect for long, lazy mornings and quiet evenings, Sariska Lodge also offers guided activities if you're in the mood to explore, making it equally suited for both the still and the spirited. 2. Brij Anayra – Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh Perched amid lush tea plantations with sweeping views of the Dhauladhar range, Brij Anayra is housed in a nearly 200-year-old estate that radiates old-world elegance. With just 12 exquisitely appointed rooms, the property offers intimate luxury and experiences such as sound healing sessions, English high tea in manicured gardens, and gourmet dining. Evenings here are magical, think sunsets from your suite, the twinkling lights of Dharamsala in the distance, and the stillness of the Himalayas all around. 3. Sitara Himalaya – Palchan, Himachal Pradesh High in the heart of the Himalayas, Sitara Himalaya combines Indian, Tibetan, and English architectural influences to create a refined mountain lodge experience. Each elegantly furnished room opens to breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks and green valleys. Guests can indulge in Ayurvedic spa therapies, savour Himalayan-inspired cuisine, and spend their days reconnecting with nature. This is a retreat designed for both physical rejuvenation and mental stillness. 4. The Kumaon – Kasar Devi, Uttarakhand Set on a ridge above Almora, The Kumaon is a contemporary retreat that blends modern minimalism with traditional stone-and-wood architecture. Its ten spacious suites frame sweeping Himalayan views, and the cantilevered dining room seems to float above the valley. Here, days are slow and serene, stroll through native forests, explore terraced farms, or tap into the spiritual energy of nearby Kasar Devi Temple, a site long associated with meditation and creativity. 5. Glenburn Tea Estate & Boutique Hotel – Darjeeling, West Bengal A slice of colonial charm in the hills, Glenburn Tea Estate overlooks rolling plantations and the majestic Kanchenjunga. The property offers elegantly restored bungalows, antique furnishings, sprawling verandas, and warm hospitality. Guests can sip freshly brewed estate tea, take leisurely walks through the plantations, or simply sink into a chair with a book as mountain breezes drift through. It's the perfect place to press pause and breathe. A do-nothing holiday isn't about doing less, it's about doing more of what truly matters: resting, breathing, and living at your own rhythm. This August 15, pick a place where the only thing on your agenda is to feel absolutely unhurried. First Published: August 11, 2025, 18:16 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
