11 August,2011 09:22 AM IST | | Amit Singh
With August 15 being Monday, Delhiites plan to make the most of an extended weekend. But high-cost holiday packages are a deterrent
Thank God it's a Monday! Yes, Delhiites are upbeat and looking forward to 15th of August and an extended weekend. With Saturday being Rakshabandhan, it translates into three stress- and workplace politics-free days. The problem is everyone is planning to head out of town and rooms at holiday destinations are a luxury.
No entry
Resort rooms at weekend getaways such as Shimla, Manali, Bhimtal, Nainital and Jaipur, which would otherwise cost a humble Rs 3,000 per night are now selling out their 'buffer best' at double the general rate, if not more. Luxury hotels are taking prices a notch higher ufffdat Nainital, Corbett and Haridwar, accommodation worth Rs 10,000 a night would cost Rs 15-20,000, thanks to 'special reservation surcharges'.
Even otherwise, lesser visited weekend properties are sold out. "Our rooms are empty till this week, but we are overbooked for the weekend. We have 23 rooms and one group alone, from HDFC bank, has 70 people coming in!" said the manager at Leisure Hotels' Fort Unchagaon heritage hotel.
Travel companies have also unleashed a whole range of exciting products for India travel for the occasion. Travelmasti Holiday Pvt. Ltd. has announced 27 distinctly packaged plans to visit famous tourist destinations in India. Prices range from as low as Rs 4,111 to Rs 11,899 on per couple basis. Travelmasti's COO, Manan Aggarwal said, "With Rakshabandhan, weekend and Independence Day approaching in a queue, there is a rush. We are offering special north India, south India hill station packages, heritage packages and adventure tour packages. By reducing the package cost we are doing our bit in making your Independence Celebration Week a hit."
A stitch in time...
Those who made their bookings well in advance were wise enough, for they not only saved on stay prices but also the crazy money that flights, train tickets and cabs are costing travellers now. Travel agents and taxi firms, however, say there's nothing they can do. "It's next to impossible to find a holiday package or book a cab for this weekend. All the bigger vehicles which carry 15-20 passengers have been totally booked out. We have booked it for Rs 19 per km but now it's not available for Rs 22 per km also. The business has grown 60-70 per cent. Only limited SUVs are available which I presume would be booked by Friday," said Amit Lakhotia, co-founder and director of getmecab.com, a Gurgaon-based online portal to hire cab.
Home sweet home
With all this trouble, those who got their arrangements in place weeks ago are glad they did, and those who're scampering around to make them now are having second thoughts. "I think it's a better idea to chill at home instead and catch some movies. I will convince my wife it's really not a good idea to go out ufffdnot just because I'll go mad making the arrangements, but also because all places will be packed and chaotic. What's the use of such a chhutti anyway?" said Himanshu Man Singh, 29, HR Executive. "I've given up. The world can go on. I think Delhi will be more peaceful at that time!" said Natasha Suri, a banker.
