Soaring summer heat coupled with the upcoming General elections in April and May has cast a shadow on the travel plans of holidayers during this summer, with a dip in takers for summer tour packages. Anticipating the national elections, a good number of travel companies have drawn back their regular plans on flight tickets for the summer season.
“With elections kicking in, a good number of pilgrims who booked tickets for Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of the year, have approached us seeking to defer the travel dates considering the General elections in Kerala. Normally, at least 15 days are required to complete the pilgrimage,” said Sajeer Padikkal, president, Malabar Tourism Council.
Further, there has been a shift in the travel plans of some families in Kerala that normally move out of the country during the summer after the annual school exams to unite with the expatriate heads of family or other relatives. A good number of them prefer to stay at home this time with husbands or other family members planning to fly home this summer season after being bitten by the poll bug, said Mr. Padikkal.
