KOLKATA, May 11 -- Retired Annapurna Chakraborty (65) was planning a Vietnam trip with her family during Durga Puja this year. Though rising global fuel costs amid escalating tensions in the Middle East had already pushed up travel expenses, the family was hopeful of making the trip. However, the plan is now on hold after PM Narendra Modi appealed to citizens to conserve foreign exchange reserves by avoiding unnecessary foreign travel, overseas vacations and destination weddings.

The PM's appeal has already impacted travel and hospitality stocks, which fell by up to 6% after his speech. Travel experts fear weaker global travel sentiment, rising aviation fuel prices and rupee depreciation may affect the sector more. However, they remain optimistic about the long-term outlook for India's tourism industry, especially with a renewed push for domestic travel.

Anil Punjabi, chairman (east) of the Travel Agents Federation of India, said the PM's remarks were a precautionary measure amid the ongoing West Asia crisis. "The PM must have foreseen some situations. There won't be any change in bookings already made for international travel. But for new bookings, we will also suggest domestic alternatives such as Goa, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala or Jim Corbett. This precaution is time-specific and things would improve," he said.

Punjabi added that domestic tourism is already expensive, with airfare within India often exceeding international ticket prices. He urged the Centre to consider reducing tariffs for domestic flights and hotels to encourage local travel.

Travel expert Vishal Bhawnani, who specialises in international tourism, said stronger domestic tourism alternatives are necessary to shift travellers from foreign destinations. "Domestic tourism has been at an all-time high for the past three years and that is why many Indians started looking at international destinations. Rupee depreciation can hurt the sector. Also, when one country's tourism is affected, others also bear the brunt. Ultimately, it depends on what customers want," he said.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.