Fall of Indian rupee affects tourist outgo

The fall of the Indian rupee in comparison to the US dollar has adversely affected the tourist outflow to foreign countries, especially Europe, America and South Asian countries, according to tour operators.
With cheap air fare rates and lucrative tour packages, there was a big surge in the number of tourists visiting abroad earlier.
The tour packages were so cheap that a 3-night and 4-day stay in South Asian countries like Thailand and China would cost less than the cost of a same-duration stay in Goa or Kerala.
But with the rupee depreciating steeply against the dollar, as low as Rs 60 a few days back, the scenario has changed almost overnight.

Nikhil Ganju, the country manager (India) of TripAdvisor, felt that people were now looking for shorter trips and destinations within India.
"The rupee depreciation has left a significant impact on the outflow of tourists. Even if people are looking for trips to European countries, they are opting for shorter trips in order to curtail the budget," Ganju told PTI.

According to Ganju, various Indian destinations, which are the favourites of foreigners like Kashmir, Ladakh, Darjeeling, Andamans, Kerala, Goa, and Rajasthan, have reemerged as top draws for tourists.
Ganju's views were shared by Anil Punjabi, chairman (eastern chapter), Travels Agents Federation of India (TAFI).

"There has been at least a 15-20 per cent decline in the outgo of Indian tourists to foreign countries such as European nations, US and South East Asian countries," chairman (eastern chapter), Travels Agents Federation of India (TAFI) Anil Punjabi said.
Punjabi said that till last year if a 10-day tour to Europe per head would cost Rs 1.5 lakh, the same would now cost more than Rs 2 lakh.
As the travel firms and hotels in foreign countries dealing with India quote the price in dollars, the cost of spending holidays will be more expensive for Indians, he said.