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Schengen visa delays lead Indian holidaymakers to explore alternative destinations like Georgia, Australia, and Japan

Schengen visa delays have led Indian holidaymakers to explore alt... Read More
Schengen visa delays: Indian holidaymakers are increasingly opting for alternative destinations like Georgia, Australia, and Japan due to the persistent Schengen visa appointment delays over the past three years, according to industry executives. These countries have simplified their visa processes for Indian travellers, making them more attractive options for summer vacations.

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Georgia's e-visa facility has been particularly popular, with Thomas Cook (India) reporting a remarkable 600% year-on-year increase in demand for the country. As a result, the travel company has doubled departures in several of its group series to accommodate the growing interest, according to an ET report.

Rajeev Kale, president of holidays at Thomas Cook (India), noted that "In combination with Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan are also witnessing a significant uptick (around 400%), and we've coupled them with Georgia while also offering standalone options." He added, "Locales like Tashkent, Samarkand (Uzbekistan) and Almaty (Kazakhstan) have also witnessed a strong growth of approximately 300% year-on-year."

Summer Getaways for Indians

Indian nationals can obtain e-visas for Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan, while Kazakhstan allows visa-free stays for up to 14 days. The ongoing delays in visa appointments for some Schengen countries, which have been reported by ET since April 24, have contributed to the shift in Indian travellers' preferences towards these alternative destinations.

MakeMyTrip has observed a significant 57% increase in searches for Japan during the summer season compared to the previous year, according to Saujanya Shrivastava, the company's chief operating officer for flights, holidays and Gulf. "Among the top cities within Japan, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Nagoya are of higher interest, with Tokyo alone accounting for two-thirds of all hotel searches and 80% of all flight searches," he said.

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Agoda CEO Omri Morgenshtern, during his recent visit to India, discussed the impact of relaxed visa policies on travel. "When the visa process is easy and when the flight capacity is there, we see travel increasing. It's a business of removing friction," he said, citing the example of Bangkok, which became the most sought-after destination for Indians on Agoda after Thailand introduced a visa waiver.

Maharajas' Express - Most Expensive Luxury Train by IRCTC

Maharajas’ Express Luxury Train In India: Imagine a train ride that takes you through prominent Indian tourist destinations and all in the lap of luxury with deluxe cabins, presidential suites, fine dining restaurants and lounge bars. Maharajas’ Express by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is said to be among India’s most luxurious and expensive trains! The Maharajas’ Express has even won the ‘World's Leading Luxury Train’ award seven times at the World Travel Awards. So what’s special about the Maharajas’ Express? What are its packages and onboard amenities? What does it look like? And, what are the ticket prices of one the most expensive trains in the country? We take a look at the Maharajas’ Express:

Maharajas’ Express packages: There are 4 packages - Indian Panorama (6 Nights/7 Days) covering Delhi – Jaipur – Ranthambore and Fatehpur Sikri – Agra – Orchha and Khajuraho – Varanasi; Indian Splendour (6 Nights/7 Days) covering Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Bikaner – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Mumbai; Heritage of India (6 Nights/7 Days) covering Mumbai – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Bikaner – Jaipur – Ranthambore and Fatehpur Sikri – Agra and Delhi; Treasures of India (3 Nights/4 Days) covering Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Delhi.

The Maharajas’ Express luxury train offers four categories of cabins/suites, each equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. All cabins feature OTT subscriptions, Wi-Fi Internet, intercom connectivity, DVD players, LED screens, wardrobes, personal electronic safes, air conditioning, and en-suite bathrooms with shower cubicles providing hot and cold running water. The train also provides amenities such as bathrobes, slippers, hairdryers, and a range of luxury toiletries made from essential oils.

Additionally, the Maharajas’ Express luxury train by the IRCTC is equipped with CCTV cameras, smoke alarms, RFID door locks, and 24 by 7 paramedic services for the safety of passengers.

Maharajas’ Express Deluxe Cabin: The train features 20 Deluxe Cabins, including 12 with twin beds and 8 with double beds. Each car is attended by personalized valets for your convenience.

Maharajas’ Express Junior Suite: The train includes 18 Junior Suites, with 12 featuring twin beds and 6 featuring double beds. Each suite offers large panoramic windows. Additionally, every coach is equipped with a mini-pantry and attended by a dedicated valet.

Maharajas’ Express Suites: All four suites are double-bedded and feature large panoramic windows. Each coach includes a mini-pantry and is attended by a dedicated valet. The suites offer additional amenities such as a complimentary mini-bar and a bathtub. The fare for the suite also includes an exclusive language-speaking guide and a luxury car for off-board journeys.

The Presidential Suite on the Maharajas’ Express tourist train spans 448 sq. ft., making it unique among international trains, claims the website. The Presidential Suite features a living room, a complimentary mini-bar, two bedrooms, and two washrooms. Guests in the Presidential Suite enjoy the services of an exclusive 24-hour personal valet. The suite's tariff includes an exclusive language-speaking guide and a luxury car for off-board journeys.

Aboard the luxurious Maharajas' Express there are two fine dining restaurants. One of these restaurants is "Mayur Mahal," and the other is Rang Mahal.” Passengers can enjoy both Indian and international cuisines.

The Maharajas’ Express has a Safari Bar and the Rajah Club Observatory Lounge. The Safari Bar features a curated collection of books for reading enthusiasts and board games. For corporate travellers looking to blend business with leisure, the Safari Bar can be arranged to host meetings.


Recently, Thailand announced an extension of the temporary visa exemption for Indian nationals until November 11, to further boost tourism.

Yatra Online is experiencing a substantial number of last-minute bookings for international destinations, including Thailand, Vietnam, Mauritius, Singapore, Bali, and Sri Lanka, according to Bharatt Malik, senior vice president for flights and hotel business at the travel firm. Additionally, he mentioned, "We have seen a 100% increase in bookings to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan compared to pre-Covid levels."

Cleartrip's top international destinations for Indian travelers are Bangkok, Dubai, and Singapore, says Gaurav Patwari, vice president for the air category at the company.

Also Read | Planning to buy a house in Delhi-NCR? Even Rs 5 crore budget may not guarantee home in brand-new project in prime locality

Daniel D'souza, president of leisure travel at SOTC Travel, emphasized that the visa process, including the availability of application slots and processing time, has become a crucial factor in Indian travelers' decision-making, especially with the shorter booking windows of 50-60 days for long-haul and 30-40 days for short-haul destinations this year.

"Australia's streamlined electronic visa offers a smooth end-to-end process," D'souza said, noting that the company experienced a 40-45% year-on-year increase in Indians traveling to Australia as a result.

Maharajas' Express - Most Expensive Luxury Train by IRCTC

Maharajas’ Express Luxury Train In India: Imagine a train ride that takes you through prominent Indian tourist destinations and all in the lap of luxury with deluxe cabins, presidential suites, fine dining restaurants and lounge bars. Maharajas’ Express by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is said to be among India’s most luxurious and expensive trains! The Maharajas’ Express has even won the ‘World's Leading Luxury Train’ award seven times at the World Travel Awards. So what’s special about the Maharajas’ Express? What are its packages and onboard amenities? What does it look like? And, what are the ticket prices of one the most expensive trains in the country? We take a look at the Maharajas’ Express:

Maharajas’ Express packages: There are 4 packages - Indian Panorama (6 Nights/7 Days) covering Delhi – Jaipur – Ranthambore and Fatehpur Sikri – Agra – Orchha and Khajuraho – Varanasi; Indian Splendour (6 Nights/7 Days) covering Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Bikaner – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Mumbai; Heritage of India (6 Nights/7 Days) covering Mumbai – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Bikaner – Jaipur – Ranthambore and Fatehpur Sikri – Agra and Delhi; Treasures of India (3 Nights/4 Days) covering Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Delhi.

The Maharajas’ Express luxury train offers four categories of cabins/suites, each equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. All cabins feature OTT subscriptions, Wi-Fi Internet, intercom connectivity, DVD players, LED screens, wardrobes, personal electronic safes, air conditioning, and en-suite bathrooms with shower cubicles providing hot and cold running water. The train also provides amenities such as bathrobes, slippers, hairdryers, and a range of luxury toiletries made from essential oils.

Additionally, the Maharajas’ Express luxury train by the IRCTC is equipped with CCTV cameras, smoke alarms, RFID door locks, and 24 by 7 paramedic services for the safety of passengers.

Maharajas’ Express Deluxe Cabin: The train features 20 Deluxe Cabins, including 12 with twin beds and 8 with double beds. Each car is attended by personalized valets for your convenience.

Maharajas’ Express Junior Suite: The train includes 18 Junior Suites, with 12 featuring twin beds and 6 featuring double beds. Each suite offers large panoramic windows. Additionally, every coach is equipped with a mini-pantry and attended by a dedicated valet.

Maharajas’ Express Suites: All four suites are double-bedded and feature large panoramic windows. Each coach includes a mini-pantry and is attended by a dedicated valet. The suites offer additional amenities such as a complimentary mini-bar and a bathtub. The fare for the suite also includes an exclusive language-speaking guide and a luxury car for off-board journeys.

The Presidential Suite on the Maharajas’ Express tourist train spans 448 sq. ft., making it unique among international trains, claims the website. The Presidential Suite features a living room, a complimentary mini-bar, two bedrooms, and two washrooms. Guests in the Presidential Suite enjoy the services of an exclusive 24-hour personal valet. The suite's tariff includes an exclusive language-speaking guide and a luxury car for off-board journeys.

Aboard the luxurious Maharajas' Express there are two fine dining restaurants. One of these restaurants is "Mayur Mahal," and the other is Rang Mahal.” Passengers can enjoy both Indian and international cuisines.

The Maharajas’ Express has a Safari Bar and the Rajah Club Observatory Lounge. The Safari Bar features a curated collection of books for reading enthusiasts and board games. For corporate travellers looking to blend business with leisure, the Safari Bar can be arranged to host meetings.



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