It’s the year(end) of the dragon for travel sector

China hot new destination ahead of holiday season

- SUGANDHA MUKHERJEE

THE INAUGURAL KOLKATA-GUANGZHOU IndiGo flight on October 26 was packed, as have been the rest since direct flights between India and China resumed.

With China Eastern’s Delhi-Shanghai service beginning Sunday and IndiGo’s daily Delhi-Guangzhou flights from November 10, the travel sector is gung-ho about the new destination, made accessible just ahead of holiday season.

“China has made a strong comeback on the travel map, emerging once again as a destination of high interest among Indian travellers,” said Rajeev Kale, president & country head, holidays, MICE & visa, Thomas Cook India.

After a five-year suspension, flights between India and China are once again operating—at full capacity—sig-nalling strong pent-up demand and renewed curiosity over one of Asia’s most diverse and dynamic destinations.

Flight services between the two sides were suspended during the pandemic in 2020, and remained shut consequently due to border skirmishes.

In October last year, the two sides firmed up a disengagement pact, after which a series of measures were undertaken to repair ties, including resumption of flights and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

THE RETURN OF connectivity marks a significant step toward rebuilding travel and tourism exchanges.