Have you ever shopped for woollens when the end-of-season discounts appear in March? Or postponed your purchase of a branded watch for a few months to wait for the annual sale?
You could do the same next time you plan a trip abroad. Over the next few months, for instance: The festive season may be the peak season for the Indian traveller, but it would be off-season in some other countries.
Off-season travel has become a trend among some travellers, especially the young and the retired, who want to see the world but don’t want to spend a fortune on travel. We list the pluses and minuses, and suggest five destinations.
The pluses
Value for money: Off-season travel provides opportunities to journey at far more economical rates. The demand-supply logic works to your advantage and you get discounts on airfares and hotel tariffs—the two major expense heads. “Airfare and accommodation are cheaper by at least 25-30%, compared to the peak season,” says Sharat Dhall, managing director, TripAdvisor India, a travel search engine.
A search at irelandhotels shows you can book a double room at Grand Hotel, Malahide, Dublin, for €94 in mid-December, while you will have to pay €165 for the same room in mid-April, which is the peak season. Apart from lower tariffs, some hotels will offer you extra amenities such as added meals or discounts on food, or even free bus or cable car rides.
The same goes for airfares. “Airlines now have a system which adjusts fares automatically according to the season, instead of having a flat rate throughout the year. Since customers are hard to get, airlines offer discounts to draw passengers,” says Ashish Kishore, head of hotel and retail business Yatra.com, a travel portal.
All to yourself: “Travelling is not just about the money you spend, but also about the experience,” says Kishore. During the peak seasons, tourist spots are often too crowded for comfort. Off-season travel is for you if you love peace and quiet and want to enjoy the beauty of a place at your own pace. This translates into less rush, smaller queues at airports and museums and an easier visa process. You also get to mix a lot more with the locals.
The drawbacks
Do it yourself: As not many people will be travelling, operators may not offer tour packages to many of these destinations. So you may need to make plans on your own.
Not so pleasant weather: “The weather can either be too hot or too cold or too rainy (that’s what really defines off-season),” says Dhall. So you need to pack accordingly and be ready for icy winds or heavy rain.
We are closed: Due to the weather or lack of visitors, you might have to miss out on a lot of stuff that you would have otherwise seen. If you are going to Switzerland in the off-season, you are likely to find some of the ski resorts shut. Cable car services may be closed for repairs.
However, big city attractions would be available throughout the year. Shorter days mean some of the tourist sites will close earlier.