Travelling abroad for summer vacation? Here’s what PM Narendra Modi appeals to travellers and why this is important

With vacation travel expected to boost travel abroad significantly in view of the summer break for many Indians, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has requested Indian citizens to rethink their travel plans outside India and encourage domestic tourism given rising global uncertainties caused by increased prices of crude oil along with the U.S.-Iran crisis.While addressing a public gathering at the Parade Ground in Hyderabad, Narendra Modi urged citizens to adopt what he described as a “national responsibility” lifestyle to help the country cope with challenges such as inflation, supply chain disruptions, and rising energy costs. Among his notable appeals was a request for Indians to reduce overseas holidays and avoid hosting destination weddings abroad in an effort to ease pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.Conserving foreign exchange reserves is an act of patriotism during tough global times, shared PM Modi. He asked everyone to minimize the use of imported products and purchase goods made in the country wherever feasible.The statements are made during a time where there is high demand for travel out of India amid the holiday peak travel season. Destinations across Southeast Asia, the Gulf countries, and Europe continue to attract Indian travellers, but with concerns raised by geopolitics and increases in fuel prices leading to fears of volatile and increased airfare rates.Being largely reliant on foreign crude oil, India’s oil prices are known to affect flight prices due to rising costs of transportation and increasing inflation. It should be noted that an increase in foreign oil prices will likely see the costs of domestic flights increase, along with other forms of expenses associated with tourism.In addition to being a message for domestic tourism in India, such an appeal from the Prime Minister may have further implications for the Indian travel industry, which relies greatly on its domestic tourism market. Domestic tourism continues to remain a major contributor to the Indian travel industry economy by employing hotels, airlines, transportation companies, tour guides, restaurants, and local enterprises.PM Modi further urged the citizens to curtail their use of petrol and diesel by making increased use of metro rail networks, other means of public transport, carpooling, and electrical vehicles. He added that there should be more usage of railways for carrying freight. Further, he suggested that some initiatives that had been implemented during the COVID-19 period like work from home policies, online conference calls, virtual meetings, and such others must also be followed.In his speech, PM Modi also emphasised that patriotism was not only about defending the nation during times of war but also about doing the right things at the time when the economy faced challenges. The Prime Minister further pointed out that it is not just the government who is responsible for protecting the national interest, but everyone else is as well.Prime Minister Modi made this speech amid rising concerns regarding energy security and economic stability in the face of ongoing geopolitical tensions which have impacted fuel prices and international business. For Indian tourists who are planning their summer vacation abroad, the Prime Minister's message highlights the increasing worries related to high energy costs, outflow of foreign exchange, and domestic economic resilience.