Cover Story
Footloose
And Worry-Free
While travelling can be fun, planning a
trip can frazzle your nerves if you are not
prepared. Priya Nair and Preeti Kulkarni
offer tips to ensure a hassle-free vacation
this summer
H
olidays can mean different things
to different people. For some it’s
a chance to unwind in a comfy
hotel room, while for others it’s an
opportunity to explore new places and learn
about the local way of life. No matter what you
expect from your ideal holiday, there are deals
and packages to suit your preferences. Here’s
how to plan ahead.
According to data from Economic Survey of
India 2016-17, Indians are warming to travel
like never before. In 2016, over 20 million
Indians travelled overseas, points out Karan
Anand, Head, Relationships, Cox & Kings.
“From anecdotal data we can safely assume
that the growth in outbound travel every year
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would be approximately 15-18 per cent,” says
Anand. “According to data from the Ministry
of Tourism, the total domestic journeys
crossed the billion mark in 2016 itself.”
So how does one go about it? Should
you choose a group tour or opt for a tailor-
made holiday? Or would you prefer to plan
everything on your own? With summer
around the corner, it’s the right time to plan
your holiday. For the travel issue, Outlook
Money talked to three avid travellers with
diverse travel profiles to glean advice from
their trip diaries. From the advantages of solo
travel to the upside of group tours to nifty ways
to handle money, they have it all covered.
The Big Two
When you are planning a holiday, the
two biggest expenses are travel and
accommodation. Once you decide your
destination and your budget, it is advisable
to get these two expenses out of the way. It is
advisable to plan a few months in advance to
get good deals on airfares and hotels.
When Smita Kumar, who works with a