Faced with a rush by Indians who seek to holiday in Europe, domestic tour operators are quietly increasing prices of tour packages to the continent.
Most are re-designing their offerings so as to ensure that the price increases are not evident.
While Cox & Kings and SOTC have already rolled out their new packages, Thomas Cook is currently in the process of re-doing its European deals.
Consider this: Cox & Kings' 10-day Europe tour now costs Rs 72,000 per person, up from Rs 70,000 just a week back. Senior company officials say that while last week 'super apex packages' (early bird advantage) were applicable, the company is now selling 'apex packages.'
SOTC, the outbound travel arm of Kuoni, is now offering a 19-day Europe tour for two adults and a child for Rs 209,900. A week ago, it used to offer a 10-day family (two adults and a child) tour for Rs 99,900.
Says Mahesh Shirodkar, chief operating officer, SOTC: "With inquiries and bookings pouring in and owing to popular demand, we have extended the specially discounted Rs 99,900 Europe summer offer. But it is valid only till seats are available."
However, with most preferred April and May dates (the peak summer holiday season) under this scheme completely sold out, a traveller has no option but to take the higher-priced packages.
"The 15-day grand tour of Europe and 19-day classic tour of Europe are priced the way they are owing to the increased number of inclusions, destinations and duration of the trip," Shirodkar says.
SOTC's family packages include return airfare in economy class, accommodation, sightseeing, breakfast and buffet Indian meals.
While the top-rung operators have rolled out their new schemes or in the process of rolling them out, smaller operators are actively marketing their Europe packages at the older rates but are contemplating an increase in prices for new packages, industry sources said.
