Industry conferences and company retreats are now scheduled more regularly with COVID-induced restrictions removed, and organisations have started their corporate travel schedules in full flow, say travel firms and hoteliers

After a pandemic-induced crisis, the number of people looking to take to the seas in style is shooting up.

“Volume growth is coming back in the markets that JK Lakshmi operates in as well as Dalmia Bharat because it has a strong presence in the south. Southern construction activity had been weak due to unusual rains. Even Heidelberg looks good. So Dalmia Bharat and JK Lakshmi are amongst the top picks among the smaller names.”

Devotees and tourists are flocking back to shrines across the country. Extended weekends, and improved connectivity have eased the way for those who want to pay their respects, show gratitude and to invoke blessings. The number of visitors to these religious places has more than doubled.

Cruises are "back with a bang" and demand has been picking up from India consistently since border curbs were eased.

Cruises are “back with a bang” and demand has been picking up from India consistently since border curbs were eased, said Subhash Goyal, chairman of the STIC Travel & Air Charters Group. The STIC Travel Group is the sole agent in India for companies such as Holland America Line and Windstar Cruises.

“Mahindra Finance appears to be a good potential candidate for giving reasonable returns over the next two to three years. Vedanta can be the second considering the basket of products and verticals that they are into. The third is ITC. It is one of the companies which can give a very stellar performance because the secular growth can be quite good.”

“With a strategic intent to target Vistaras discerning customers, Thomas Cook & SOTC have handpicked premium global hotel brands including, Dusit Thani in Thailand, Armani Hotel Dubai, Angsana Ihuru and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru in Maldives, etc,” stated the press release.

"Turkiye is one of the world's most culturally rich destinations renowned for its warm hospitality, unique history, immense natural beauty and breathtaking architecture. We are delighted to collaborate with Turkiye Tourism to jointly promote the destination to our range of customer segments as an aspirational destination for Indians," Thomas Cook (India), President Rajeev Kale said.

Cost of travelling has risen, but pent-up demand is fuelling growth of the industry.

In a letter to the ministry, the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) said it has heard from its association members that their clients and incoming overseas travellers are facing issues with the ‘Air Suvidha form.

He believes the welfare programs of the present government and their scale and reach have improved opportunities for the average Indian. He argues that there has also been a positive shift in attitudes towards business and wealth creators.

He believes the welfare programs of the present government and their scale and reach have improved opportunities for the average Indian. He argues that there has also been a positive shift in attitudes towards business and wealth creators.

"We are just thinking how we can mobilise support for India in terms of investing a lot more by raising a lot more money. Not through Fairfax India as Fairfax India's stock is undervalued but we are looking at different ways of raising money," Watsa said.

For couples planning their next foreign vacation, here are some destination picks and smart budgeting options.

Scores of Indian travellers are finding their European travel plans stuck due to delay in appointment dates and long visa processing time at certain Schengen country embassies.

“In the case of Reliance Industries, the gross refining margins are going to be about $12 to $18 depending upon the type of the crude. Every $1 of GRM increase adds about 4-5% to EPS growth. So Reliance Industries is extremely well positioned. All its other businesses retail, telecom are doing well and its refining business is going to show really good numbers this quarter.”

A Cleartrip spokesperson said international bookings, since the Indian government announced the resumption of scheduled international flight operations from March 27, had increased by 80% compared with January this year.

Thomas Cook's corporate/business travel segment has been witnessing a more than 20% month-on-month increase in demand since this January. "The recent announcement of the reopening of India's scheduled flights is already seeing a surge in positive corporate sentiment and we expect to close March at 80% of our pre-pandemic levels," said Indiver Rastogi, group head-global business travel at Thomas Cook (India) & SOTC.

Airline balance sheets are likely to remain under pressure in 2022-23 despite what promises to be a turnaround year for air travel in India because of the debt overhang in the industry.

A MakeMyTrip spokesperson said travellers can opt for a full refund against last-minute cancellations across over 90% of hotel properties listed on the platform.

Strong pent up demand is resulting in a strong uptick in domestic air travel, exacerbated by the limited reopening of international routes, said Indiver Rastogi, President & Group Head for global business travel at Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC. India's festive season, typically, starts from October 1 and goes up to November 30 every year.

Consolidated revenue for the quarter stood at Rs 351.32 crore. It was Rs 141.80 crore for the same period a year ago, it added.

"The consumer advantage is significant; an enticing proposition that leverages the strengths of Air Arabia's highly attractive air product-pricing-network with the diverse holidays range and combined buying-power of Thomas Cook India and SOTC - leaders in the holidays domain," Thomas Cook (India) Ltd Executive Director and CEO Mahesh Iyer said.

“Possibly up to March-June 2022, we can expect all the three industries -- travel & tourism, hospitality and aviation -- to do exceedingly well. One must play the momentum in some of these stocks, rather than go for a long term bet.”

Last week, Austria, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and Iceland announced quarantine waivers for passengers fully vaccinated with Covishield - the market name in India for the vaccine developed by Oxford AstraZeneca. The aviation industry expects vaccination to be key to restarting regular international flights.

When it comes to travel companions, 62% people prefer to travel with family/friends.

"If you want tourism to benefit, the whole industry has to re-emerge and provide business. It cannot be that a few of us who survived the pandemic go out there and do all the businesses. That is just not possible. We need to allow the broader industry to re-emerge, something that will reflect on the health of the entire industry."

Tourism secretary Arvind Singh said the tourism ministry was in touch with both the industry and the finance ministry and called the measures 'welcome steps.'

While IndiGo has plans to connect distances up to seven hours of flight time from six key metro cities, Vistara will be operating flights to the US, Europe as well as short-haul destinations in Southeast and Central Asia.