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New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) Tired of candle-lit dinners in the city on Valentine's Day? Now you can escape to an island, sip margaritas on the beach and soak up the sun with your loved one. Remember Feb 14 is on a Sunday this year.
'This year, with Valentine's Day falling on a weekend, there is increased anticipation within the hospitality and travel industry of a positive response from the younger generation who have cash and are seeking reasons to indulge,' Kavi Ghei, director of TRAC Representations that handles international tourism boards and airlines, told IANS.
'With gloomy recession pressures steadily fading, the upwardly mobile travellers from metro hubs are looking to treat themselves to short breaks both nationally and internationally. In sync with these optimistic sentiments, hospitality chains and international destinations have embarked on tactical themes and promotions to reach potential consumer segments,' he added.
Twenty-nine-year-old Nishant Sood, a businessman, is all set to leave for Indonesia with wife Sughanda.
'We just got married in December. This is our first V-Day after marriage and I thought it should be something special and one that we will remember for years. Though my responsibilities as a businessman don't allow me to take so many holidays, what the heck...some things are priceless,' said Sood.
According to Aditya Tyagi, head of travel firm Abercrombie & Kent, the popularity of Thailand, Indonesia and the Maldives not only as honeymoon destinations but also for Valentine's Day endures.
'These places are always hot favourites among newly wed couples because they are not expensive compared to Europe and the US and at the same time the beaches, sand and lovely weather make them popular,' Tyagi told IANS.
Ghei said another benefit that attracts people to these destinations is increased flight connectivity, visa on arrival and value for money deals.
Tyagi also pointed out some people are extending their trip to celebrate V-Day in these exotic locations.
'Some people are also extending their trips to mix business with pleasure and want to celebrate this day with someone special in an unforgettable manner,' said Tyagi.
The Banyan Tree resorts in the Maldives has a Valentine's Day package that offers romantic beach dinners under the stars and soothing body massages at one of their tented pool villas. In contrast, Amari hotels and resorts are offering scenic seaside and mountain locations which will help unleash your inner romantic side in any of their 11 properties across Thailand.
The rate for a minimum three-night stay for a couple is between Rs.40,000 and Rs.50,000 depending on the facilities provided in either package, excluding air fare.
(Shilpa Raina can be contacted at shilpa.r@ians.in)
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