Kolkata: The fresh tension between the US and Iran has left travellers and members of the travel trade industry in a bind.The sharp jump in airfares triggered by rising aviation fuel prices and the continuing geopolitical tensions in West Asia are beginning to weigh on outbound travel from Kolkata, with even traditionally affordable short-haul destinations like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia becoming inaccessible for Indian tourists.Representatives of multiple popular tourism destinations who are taking part in a three-day Travel and Tourism Fair in the city said the sharp increase in airfare has emerged as the biggest deterrent for holidaymakers, forcing many to postpone trips, shorten itineraries or wait for fare reduction. Travel operators in Kolkata say enquiries for Southeast Asia remain healthy, but confirmed bookings have slowed over the past few weeks as families rethink budgets after airfare increases.While the destinations themselves remain competitively priced, the cost of getting there has become the biggest challenge.Travel agents in the city have estimated that return fares to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Bali and Vietnam are now 20%-40% higher than what travellers were paying during comparable off-peak periods earlier this year, with prices rising further during weekends.“Many families are either delaying their plans or curtailing the tour period,” according to Manav Soni of Travel Agents Association of India. The latest round of volatility in global oil markets has pushed up aviation fuel costs and airlines have also had to take longer routes around conflict zones, causing operating expenses to go up. “The demand is still there, airfare has become the deciding factor,” said Ankit Kumar, regional sales head of Indo Jaya Travel.People who earlier booked immediately are now waiting, hoping fares will soften.“In 2025, Vietnam welcomed 7,50,000 Indian tourists, an increase of nearly 50% compared to the previous year and more than four times the pre-pandemic level,” said Ethan Phong, sales manager of Indo-China travel expert travel agency.An official of VietJet airlines said the rising cost led them to temporarily suspend flights to Bangkok for a few months before they resumed service again.The increase is particularly significant because Southeast Asia has emerged as the preferred international holiday region for Indian travellers, driven by visa-friendly policies.Despite the cost pressures, tourism authorities across the region remain optimistic and are working to reassure Indian travellers.
