Odisha Tourists Flock to Southeast Asia for Affordable Durga Puja Vacations | Bhubaneswar News

Bhubaneswar: Amid unpredictable weather patterns in the country, tourists from Odisha are choosing international destinations over domestic travel during the Durga Puja vacation.
With direct air connectivity and affordable packages, Southeast Asian countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Dubai have emerged as popular getaways for travellers from the state.
“Hills of North India, locations in Northeast India and natural beauty of Kerala are favourite destinations for the pre-winter trips during puja vacations. But the weather has become so unpredictable with the threat of natural disasters looming large, we decided to go on a week trip to Singapore and Indonesia,” said Atashi Rath, a home-maker. With schools closed for 10 days, many travel enthusiasts from Odisha have planned their vacations to cheaper foreign locations.
Direct flights to these Southeast Asian countries have added to their allure. Flights to these countries are more accessible and affordable for middle-income families. “I have been to the Andamans and Rajasthan, but the flight tickets and accommodations were costlier than my recent trip to Indonesia. I spent less and experienced more — from beaches to mountains, all in one go,” said Subhashree Mishra, an IT professional.
Unstable weather like monsoons, high humidity and heatwaves have made Indian destinations less reliable while Southeast Asia offers stable weather and vibrant tourist attractions year-round. “Some tourist places in India are overcrowded while after the Wayanad disaster, people are a bit careful of visiting hilly areas,” said Noriah Jaafar, director of Tourism Malaysia in Mumbai.
“With direct flight connections from Bhubaneswar to Kuala Lumpur and free visa, Malaysia is more accessible than ever. We are excited as the tourist flow from India has increased by 84% compared to last year,” said Debasish Mishra, a tour operator.
“We are seeing a surge in bookings for international packages starting as low as Rs 40,000 for a four-day trip,” said Amitav Mishra, a travel consultant in the city.

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