Cut in train fares could boost domestic tourism

The cut in train fares can give a much needed impetus to the sagging travel industry. The industry has welcomed the two per cent cut in fares which will encourage travel within the country. According to a report in Times of India (ToI), with the job losses and salaries cuts in many sectors, leisure travel has been hit. Rise in airfares has made travel by air out of reach for many and an increasing number of people are now opting to travel to short-haul or weekend destinations by road or train.

According to Amit Kapoor, Assistant Vice-President, Travelguru (leisure travel), queries and transaction values are down. “Transaction values are down by five- seven pr cent for this month and we do see more people opting to travel by road or train rather than spend on an air ticket,” said Kapoor. He added that the drop in rail fares would act as an incentive as people are far more open to travelling by train even for business. Though there are an estimated 450 million domestic travellers a year, experts believe that since the figure does not distinguish between a business and leisure traveller, it does not represent the domestic tourist accurately.