The domestic travel and hospitality industry is flooded with enquiries as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 fever is drawing much interest from around the world.

The World Cup is going to be held from February 19 to April 2 in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

While a majority of the enquiries have come from India and its neighbouring countries, spectators from the UK, South Africa and Australia have also approached hotels and travel agents for packages and accommodation during the World Cup.

“We started receiving enquiries from travel agencies in the UK and South Africa for the World Cup four to five months ago. The numbers of enquiries are quite encouraging, but we are accommodating whatever we can, since mid-February to March is peak season and we are going fully booked,” Trident Hotels' President, Mr Rattan Keswani told Business Line .

“The demand is good as compared to last time because this year the World Cup is going to be held in South Asian countries due to which Indians are showing more interest. Tour packages to these countries are cheaper and it is a good opportunity for Indians,” said CEO of travelchacha.com, Mr Sanjay Bhasin. He said this time the demand from Indians is “30 per cent to 40 per cent higher” than it was during the football World Cup held last year in South Africa. Travel agents say the customers are more interested in customising their tour packages according to the schedules and desired venues of the event. In India, demand for matches being held in Mumbai, New Delhi and Chandigarh is the highest.

“We have designed special tour packages for the semi-finals and finals. We have been getting around two to three enquiries a day for such packages and till date we have finalised 66 tour packages from all parts of world,” said Mr Bhasin.

Cutting Edge, the official travel agent for the event, also says that the response for bookings has been good so far. “Tickets range between Rs 8,000 and Rs 30,000. Enquiries for the semi-final and final matches are higher,” said its President, Mr Mayank Khandwala.

Refuting criticism that the ticket prices were too expensive, Mr Khandwala said, “For the games to be held in India, the prices are not much. We expect the response to be overwhelming and it will be the biggest World Cup ever!”

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