Gujarat Tourists Rush to Book Europe Summer Holidays Early Amid Visa and Currency Challenges
If Europe is on your summer wishlist, now is the time to act. Travel agents across Gujarat are witnessing a significant shift in booking patterns, with seasoned travellers securing their summer holidays far earlier than usual. This trend is driven by a combination of Schengen visa delays, rising rejection rates, and a volatile rupee, prompting families to plan well in advance to avoid last-minute hassles.
Visa Delays Prompt Early Planning and Destination Shifts
Traditionally, summer bookings for Europe begin in March, but in 2026, serious inquiries and confirmations started as early as January. This rush is primarily due to the difficulty in securing visa appointments, which now take an average of 45 to 60 days. Ankit Bajaj, owner of a travel company in Ahmedabad, explained, "Appointments are not easily available, and rejections are high and often haphazard. Even regular visitors to Europe are applying much earlier to avoid stress."
With summer travel contributing nearly 60% of annual revenues for travel agents, and Europe accounting for the bulk of seasonal sales from Gujarat, these delays are directly impacting business planning. Many tourists are rethinking their destination choices altogether, opting for places with easier visa processes and better connectivity.
Alternative Destinations Gain Popularity
Due to visa uncertainty and a stronger euro dampening sentiment, destinations offering smoother visa availability are gaining ground. Japan has emerged as a hot favourite among Gujarati tourists, especially during the cherry blossom season in April. Other popular alternatives include Thailand around the Songkran Festival, Bali, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, all witnessing rising demand.
The UAE continues to attract short-haul holidaymakers due to its streamlined visa process, while South Africa is also seeing growing interest. Virendra Shah, former chairperson of the Travel Agents' Association of India Gujarat chapter, noted, "Connectivity and visa ease play a key role. If securing a visa becomes stressful, people change their itineraries, but determined travellers to Europe plan in advance."
Logistical Challenges and Currency Impact
For many families, logistics remain a bigger concern. Ketan Patel, an industrialist from Ahmedabad, planned a May holiday to Norway and Denmark with 12 family members and booked in January to secure visa appointments. "With such a large group, we could not take chances. We booked travel in January and got the earliest visa appointment in March," he said.
Travel agents warn that those waiting until March to begin paperwork will likely face difficulties securing timely appointments, potentially forcing postponements or destination changes. Additionally, the currency situation has exacerbated costs. As of February 12, the rupee depreciated nearly 19.4% year on year against the euro, significantly inflating package expenses.
For example, a Europe itinerary priced at 2,500 euros per person cost about Rs 2.25 lakh last year but now costs roughly Rs 2.69 lakh—an increase of nearly Rs 44,000 per person due to currency movements. For a family of four, this translates to an additional Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh in expenses. Against the US dollar, the rupee weakened by about 4.18% year on year, further adding to international travel costs.
Domestic Travel and Silver Linings
Meanwhile, inquiries and bookings for domestic travel have picked up well. Manish Sharma, a travel expert from Ahmedabad, said, "Kashmir is not a preferred choice due to last year's Pahalgam incident, but we are seeing healthy traction in the North East, with destinations like Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh drawing strong interest from Gujarat travellers."
On a positive note, the industry sees a silver lining in the budgetary announcement reducing the tax collected at source on overseas tour packages to a flat 2% from earlier 5% and 20% slabs. Travel operators say this lowers the upfront tax burden and improves cash flow for travellers, providing some relief amid the challenges.
