If Kerala's costly, there's Malaysia!

PUNE: If they can''t go to Kerala, let them go to Mauritius or Malaysia instead.
Now that may sound suspiciously like Marie Antoinette, but it''s actually the buzz on the travel circuit this winter.
The distinction between ''phoren'' and domestic travel has blurred in terms of prices, and so have many other notions about winter travel for the new, improved Punekar.
A Mauritius tour would take just a few ''grand'' more and in some cases, a few ''grand'' less than a Kerala or Goa tour. So if Goa is woefully overbooked, no matter how much one is willing to pay, Malaysia and Singapore beckon. Besides discount fares, airlines offer free hotel accommodation to these destinations.
Mauritius, nevertheless, is the popular choice. "It''s a beautiful, peaceful place. The budget was OK (Rs 40,000 per person, all inclusive). No visas required. Perfect time of the year in the southern hemisphere," says Nikhil Sapre, a young software pro, explaining his choice of Mauritius.
Not long ago, children''s summer vacations and leave travel allowance determined travel time and destination. Winter vacations were a time for meeting up with grandparents and celebrating Diwali and X''mas. Now, vacations are tailor-made to suit leave availability and budgets do not seem to matter at all, especially for the IT set. Going by the sheer number of people travelling and their budgets, the ''India shining'' slogan does not sound hollow after all.
"Winter is now considered the best travelling time," says Shubadha Joshi, director, Girikand Travels, who like others in the business, is flooded with enquiries.
"Tourists are growing in number. They are looking for the best weather, best foliage and wildlife. Instead of mere sight-seeing, they are asking for participative activities," says she.
"Puneites are coming to us after doing their homework on the Internet. They know what they want. They''ll ask a few questions and if you answer wrong, they''ll dump you. And in this business, I can''t afford to say no. Cruises in Alaska, pilgrim season in the Himalayas, the Rocky Mountain trail, you name, it we have to provide it," reveals Norbert Xavier, at TCI, who practically has a "thirty years ka experience" in the line. A very small percentage of people seems to be asking for exotic locations such as Valley of Flowers, the North-East or the Sunderbans.
"My generation just wants to chill out. Get away from the crowds. Private cottages are a rage, not activities or sightseeing," confesses Sushant Kumar, another young software pro. His reaction is understandable since he is looking for a honeymoon package. "I''m looking at the South, especially at Kerala. But I may be required to go to Australia on work, so I am also enquiring about cancellation fees."