Himachal, Goa emerge as popular vacay spots among denizens
I travel with my family and safety is a priority. The fact that all adults in Himachal are vaccinated comes as such a mental relief. SHWETA TRIPATHI, Gurugram resident
Travelling amid the pandemic comes with its own set of safety protocols. Reaching the airport well before time, and getting an RT-PCR test done before your journey begins, are some things a traveller had to keep in mind. So it came as a delight for Delhi-NCR residents when Goa announced fully-vaccinated travellers will not need to carry an RT-PCR test result to enter the state. As a result, bookings for Goa shot up manifold. And with fewer landslides now, Himachal Pradesh is back on the favourites’ list.
“Since the Goa government waived off the need to carry Covid-negative reports for fully vaccinated travellers, there’s a 30-40% increase in bookings. Business is better than pre-pandemic times. Goa is definitely a preferred travel destination for Delhiites,” says Aditya Tyagi, of Luxe Escape, adding, “Some shacks are open in Goa and the clubbing scene seems to be picking up. Popular restaurants with DJs and dance floors are fully booked.”
Himachal is also back on travellers’ lists in Delhi. “Since landslides have reduced, Himachal has re-emerged as a popular destination. With the recent reports of Himachal becoming the first state to complete vaccination of all adults with the first dose, there’s a sense of safety among travellers,” says Eshan Joshi, of Zostel. Agrees Shweta Tripathi, an IT professional from Gurugram. “I travel with my family and safety is a priority. The fact that all adults in Himachal are vaccinated comes as such a mental relief, as we are planning a trip to the state with our kids,” she says.
“I was overjoyed to hear fullyvaccinated travellers won’t have to carry a negative-Covid report to travel to Goa any longer. Travel amid the pandemic has changed so drastically that saving on the cost of a Covid test comes as a relief for students on a budget. Last-minute plans can be made too, without the hassle of a Covid test,” says Sanjay Kataria, a PhD student of Delhi University, who is planning his trip to Goa soon.
In fact travel experts hope the increase in the demand for Goa and Himachal Pradesh helps the badly hit tourism industry. “Domestic air traffic increased by 61% in July, compared to June, which shows an improvement in travel sentiment. We have also seen traction in our hotels in Himachal, with people coming out to take a break,” says Nikhil Sharma, of Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.