Travel agencies say unlike in the past when outbound packages would sell only around the festival season, people these days are choosing outbound packages even during the off-season. [break]
And, budget airfare introduced by some airlines is working as a catalyst in the growth of outbound packages.
Sushil Bainiya of Ace Travels said recent trend of sending employees abroad for vacation has contributed a significant growth in the outbound segment. “Some of the airlines including Thai Airways and Jet Airways have reduced the fare, which has made traveling cheaper inducing more middle-class people to travel abroad,” he said, adding that there is no more ´off-season´ in outbound segment as the market is growing steadily.
Travel agencies are also focusing on new destinations to provide Nepali travelers with more choices. Ace Travels has introduced packages for destinations like Dubai, Maldives, Switzerland, South Africa and others. A four-day package for Dubai is priced Rs 46,600.
China is a major destination that Nepali travelers have started exploring. Trigun Bajracharya, outbound manager of NextYatra, said the beginning of the year is looking more promising than last year. He said they have sold 14 packages this week and are looking forward to selling another 50-60 packages within a month.
A package offered by NextYatra for 9 nights and 10 days that covers Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Beijing-Shanghai costs Rs 125,000 per person.
“Although airfare in the China sector has gone up because of upcoming Chinese New Year (when many Chinese travel), we are offering the best price,” Bajracharya said.
He said NextYatra is targeting employees of banks and corporate houses for this package. He said, “Previously, outbound tour was limited to businessmen but these days even others are traveling with their family and colleagues,” he added.
Prajita Satyal, sales executive of Marco Polo Travels, said there are overwhelming number of enquiries particularly for destinations like Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. She said increasing traveling culture and corporate culture of sending employees on holiday have increased the number of outbound travelers.
“In this week alone, we have sold 30 packages for Singapore-Thailand,” she added.
Marco Polo is offering Malaysia-Singapore package of 6 nights and 7 days at Rs 95,000.
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