Travel companies ’feel the love’

Several companies launch exclusive romantic getaways for Valentine's Day

Travel companies 'feel the love'

Several companies launch exclusive romantic getaways for Valentine's Day

Love is in the air and, realising that a large number of couples are planning romantic getaways, city tour operators and travel companies have conceptualised special packages for this year's Valentine's Day.

"We expect a good response for our luxury holiday packages for Valentine's Day. Since Valentine's Day falls on a Monday this year, couples seem to be opting for an extended weekend break.
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Travellers are looking for destinations that are unique and offer luxurious experiences," said Kashmira Commissariat, COO, outbound division, Kuoni India.

Realising there is a huge untapped market, Kuoni Travel has introduced Valentine's Day specials that include tours of exotic destinations such as Venice, Paris, Hua Hin, Bora Bora Island, Honolulu Island, Galway, Dubrovnik, as well as Istanbul and Cappadocia.
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Frills such as stretch limousines, candle-lit dinners and live music are included.

However, as the saying goes, romance is never cheap. Kuoni packages are not for the 'non-affluent'.

When asked why the holidays were so expensive, Commissariat said, "We are targeting affluent travellers who can afford to pay for these packages.

Our Venice package will costu00a01,359 Euros (Rs 85,000) per person on a twin-share basis, while the Paris package will cost 2,779 Euros (Rs 1.74 lakh) person on a twin-sharing basis. Similarly, our Honolulu Island package costs $1,849 (Rs 85,500) on a twin-share basis."

Other tour operators,too, have jumped onto the romantic getaways bandwagon. Travel portal Ezeego1.com has launched its Valentine Special for the Fun Island Resort in Maldives.

The three-nights, four-days package comes at Rs 38,999 per person on a twin-sharing basis (ex-Mumbai) and Rs 48,699 (ex-Delhi).

The price includes return economy class air tickets including airport taxes, beach facing accommodation with daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as return airport transfers by speedboat, according to its official spokesperson.

"We are targeting young upwardly mobile couples who are looking for a quick getaway and easy return, since we are aware that in India, Valentine's Day is not an official holiday. We are aware that people would want to rush to their work places after holidaying," a company spokesperson said.u00a0

While some companies have priced their luxurious romantic holidays exorbitantly, there are other travel outfits which have chosen to be easy on the pocket and are targeting the middle-class couple.

Several companies are offering packages in and around the Mahabaleshwar-Matheran circuit, while others such as Vile Parle- based D Paul's travels and Tours have launched their Valentine's Day packages to destinations such as Goa.

"We are targeting budget travellers. However, some of our packages last until March 31, for those who intend to go on an extended holiday. We also have packages for two nights to Bangkok and Pattaya, with Jain as well as vegetarian meals thrown in", a company spokesperson informed.

The Mahim-based Kesari Tours and Travels has launched two packages designed for Valentine's Day couples. "We have five-day, all inclusive packages to Thailand and Sri Lanka, each costing Rs 25,990 on a twin share basis per person.
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These packages include airfare, accommodation and food and are designed for couples wanting to celebrate Valentine's Day as well as couples opting for their second honeymoons," said Veena Patil, managing director, Kesari Tours and Travels Pvt Ltd.