Call it cricket fatigue. The lure of IPL is gradually wearing thin according to the travel industry.

Summer holiday travellers are unlikely to change their plans just to catch IPL-5, the annual T-20 cricket extravaganza. IPL-linked bookings have been slow to take off, say tour operators and travel agents.

A survey conducted by TripAdvisor highlighted that Indian travellers are all geared up with their summer travel plans, unmindful of the IPL. “It seems like a bustling summer for travellers this year. More people are planning journeys across India and abroad during the IPL season as opposed to sitting glued to their TV sets,” said Mr Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager, TripAdvisor India.

While slightly better than last year, the survey said, the IPL frenzy didn't catch up this year as well. 72 per cent of the respondents said they were not excited about IPL matches. Only 15 per cent planned to travel to catch the game live in any of the cities.

Echoing these views, Mr Madhav Pai, Chief Operating Officer - Leisure Travel (Outbound), Thomas Cook India said, “There has been no impact of IPL on our summer bookings. We have seen a growth of about 35 per cent in our forward bookings this holiday season. In fact, Indian travellers, especially families, are travelling overseas for summer holidays.”

High air fares

High air fares have contributed to sluggish IPL-linked bookings this summer season. “The shortage in flight inventory due to cancellations of Kingfisher Airlines flights has impacted air fares. The fares have gone up by 20 to 25 per cent,” said Mr Manmeet Ahluwalia, Marketing Head, Expedia, a leading travel portal.

However, IPL-linked bookings may go in May when the IPL semi-final matches begin, Mr Ahluwalia added. Some of the travel destinations like Dharmashala, Jaipur and Visakhapatnam where the IPL matches are being played have seen a marginal rise in bookings.

> niveditag@thehindu.co.in

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