Category: Stays

3 out of 4 consumers face manipulative pricing while booking flights and hotels online in India: Survey

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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How many times have you faced issues while making payments for a flight ticket or booking a hotel online? When you search for a flight or a hotel on a portal, after selecting dates, adding all your information, and when it’s time to make the payment, you get a prompt saying that the price has changed and then you are asked to continue with booking but now the final price has changed and it’s higher than what was shown earlier.

In case you faced this problem on a popular travel site, you’re not alone. These are some alleged dark patterns that travel portals use to take advantage of consumers. India has taken a significant stride in consumer protection by prohibiting “dark patterns” on online platforms and targeting deceptive practices that manipulate and mislead customers. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) recently released comprehensive guidelines addressing issues such as false urgency, hidden charges, and misleading advertisements.

In response to the CCPA guidelines, LocalCircles, a community-driven platform, initiated a survey focusing on the online travel sector, which is known for substantial consumer complaints. The survey exposed a stark reality, wherein three out of four users of travel apps and sites frequently encountered fare surges while booking flights. Here’s what the LocalCircles survey has revealed.

What are dark patterns?

Dark patterns, incorporate strategies like false urgency, hidden charges, and misleading advertising. These have long been a concern in the e-commerce domain. The government identified 13 types of dark patterns and issued guidelines to curb unfair trade practices and safeguard consumers.

Also read: UN body to meet to discuss ways to combat online dark patterns

LocalCircles three-month review of 100 platforms in India, commencing with the online travel sector, to gauge the prevalence of dark pattern issues drew responses from over 33,000 consumers across 323 districts.

Issue of fare surges

Many of us have witnessed issues while making payments, online portals prompt, that the prices have changed and automatically refresh to a new price than what was shown earlier. This is the most-reported issue by consumers, wherein there is an abrupt alteration of airfares and hotel room tariffs during the booking process. An astonishing 73% of respondents indicated they “very frequently” experienced surges in prices within a single browsing session. This alarming trend suggests that fares and tariffs adjust based on users’ search patterns or eagerness to book.

False urgency tactics

False urgency tactics, a dark pattern often employed during special sales and promotions, were reported by 74% of surveyed consumers who use travel apps or make bookings online. Instances where a false sense of urgency is created, such as claiming “last 2 seats available” or “last 2 rooms at this price,” occur distressingly often.

Hidden charges

As users finalise their travel or hotel bookings, the survey highlights a recurring issue with hidden charges. Around 67% percent of respondents indicated they “very frequently” encountered undisclosed charges during the payment stage, significantly elevating the final cost of the flight ticket or room. The lack of upfront disclosure poses transparency concerns for consumers.

Now that the government has issued guidelines, it aims to eliminate dark patterns, the true challenge lies in their enforcement. The efficacy of these measures will depend on CCPA’s action against violators.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Business sentiment strong among Indian hoteliers: Report

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Business sentiment among Indian hoteliers remains strong with 49% reporting an increase in average room rates and 55% have reported increase in occupancy rates over the last six months.

According to the ‘Indian Accommodation Barometer 2023’ report, 50% of hoteliers feel ‘positive’ about their current economic development and upcoming opportunities.

The joint report by Booking.com and Statista revealed that 67% guests are booking shorter stays and 66% are booking accommodation in advance. While 63% of guests prefer to book less expensive rooms, 42% are avoiding peak season stays.

With growing confidence across the travel accommodation sector, hoteliers are waiting for inbound travel to return to normal. 88% of the hoteliers feel that attracting international tourists will be one of the biggest business opportunities in 2024.

Apart from foreign tourists, 78% feel attracting families, 72% feel offering local experiences and attracting more domestic travellers and 64% feel that spiritual tourism will be the other opportunities for the industry.

Claudia Cramer, Director Market Research, Statista said, “Following initial signs of revival in 2022, travel and tourism continue on the recovery course in India in 2023. Despite ongoing challenges, Indian hoteliers are excited about the return of international tourists and are embracing the digital revolution.”

While the industry is upbeat, there are certain challenges as well. Operating cost, cost of energy and taxation are the challenges highlighted by the hoteliers. Staffing costs, economic uncertainty and cost of investments are the other challenges. The industry is expected to invest more in sustainability, digital transformation and AI.

Santosh Kumar, Country Manager for India, Booking.com said, “2023 has been a year of recovery and optimism for the Indian hotel and holiday rental operators.”

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Ind vs Aus World Cup final: Ahmedabad hotels charge up to ₹1 lakh/night, 6x surge in flight tickets

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Cricket crazy Indians are now eagerly awaiting the ICC World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia, to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19. As many of them are preparing to attend the face-off on field, flight tickets to Ahmedabad have skyrocketed almost six times the normal price. Hotels in the city too are cashing in on the cricket frenzy with room tariffs hitting ₹1 lakh per night ahead of the final.

Many hotels are charging up to ₹1 lakh per night for a room during November 18, and November 19. Welcome by ITC Hotels is charging around ₹96,300 excluding the taxes, Courtyard by Marriott charges ₹64,000 excluding taxes, and BloomSuites at ₹43,000 per room per night. Meanwhile, several hotels have already seen full booking on these dates.

“The anticipation of witnessing the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 live has resulted in an undeniable increase in travel demand and accommodation in the host cities across India. With India making it to the finals, the excitement to watch the men in blue play live has led to a spike in searches for Ahmedabad for the finals”, Santosh Kumar, the Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com, was quoted as saying by News18.

Apart from the hotel prices, flight tickets to Ahmedabad have gone up nearly six times. While a flight ticket from major cities to Ahmedabad generally costs between ₹5,000 to ₹6,000, the price has now surged to nearly ₹30,000 around the match day.

Google flight data indicated a 200% to 300% rise in flight ticket prices for a round trip to Ahmedabad on November 18 and 19, even for bookings made a few weeks or a month in advance.

Currently, the flight tickets from Delhi to Ahmedabad cost up to ₹30,000 for November 18.

Following the massive rise in flight ticket and hotel room prices, several users shared their ordeal and alternate modes of transport on social media platforms.

One user wrote, “Non-stop flight ticket prices to Ahmedabad on this Saturday (11/18) From Hyderabad – 30k, Bengaluru – 25k, Delhi – 15k, Chennai – 16k. Can only get pricier now.”

Non stop flight ticket prices to Ahmedabad on this Saturday (11/18)

From
Hyd – 30k
Bluru – 25k
Delhi – 15k
Chennai – 16k

Can only get pricier now

— Kaustubh Surke (@DexterousRd) November 15, 2023

Another user mentioned preferring GCS Hospital to get a semi special room with AC in ₹2,000 with food as well.

Isse acha GCS hospital me admit ho jao, 2000 rs me semi special room hain with AC and super clean. Dinner breakfast also included.

— Warrent Buffer (@PeppaPig4U) November 15, 2023

A third user shared a famous meme depicting hotels in Ahmedabad following the team India qualifying for the World Cup Final.

*Team India qualify for the WC Finals*

Hotels in Ahmedabad right now: #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/RNhbgRVr4G

— Viraj Pradhan (@GenericTallGuy) November 15, 2023

On the other hand, some of the X users suggested that booking a hotel in Gandhinagar would be a comparatively cheaper option while travelling from Gandhinagar to Ahmedabad is not that difficult. Additionally, some other users mentioned how travelling by bus or train would be more feasible than taking a flight during this period.

I have a better economical option.

Travel to Indore via flight.

Then take a Bus to Ahmedabad. (Even a cab would still cost less than the direct flight to Ahmedabad) https://t.co/0bn1aPIiy7

— Sharat Mudunuri (@mudunuri_sharat) November 15, 2023

Meanwhile, the final phase of the match tickets which went live on November 13 have also been sold out by now, wherein the cheapest tickets available were priced at ₹10,000 on BookMyShow app.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Consumer court asks MakeMyTrip, Oyo Rooms to pay ₹42,000 to customer for cancelling hotel booking

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-I of Chandigarh ruled in favour of a resident and ordered MakeMyTrip, OYO Rooms, and a hotel in Goa to pay ₹42,000 for having cancelled his hotel bookings, despite the complainant making advance payments. On October 30, 2023, the Commission directed the involved parties to compensate the complainant with ₹35,000 and reimburse ₹7,000 as litigation costs.

In its judgment, the Commission said that the primary motive of MakeMyTrip, Oyo Rooms and the hotel was to make excessive profit, and their actions were intended to inconvenience the complainant just before their scheduled trip.

On August 1, Online travel services provider MakeMyTrip reported a net profit of $18.6 million for the first quarter that ended June 30, 2023. In the corresponding quarter last year, MakeMyTrip posted a net loss of $10 million.

Meanwhile, the commission said in its order that the cancellation of a pre-booked hotel room, without substantial reason, caused significant physical and mental distress to the complainant. The complainant, Vineet Marwaha, had made a reservation at The Essence Retreat in October 2021 through GoIbibo, a subsidiary of MakeMyTrip.

Consumer Court orders MakeMyTrip, OYO to pay ₹42k to customer for last minute cancellation of Goa hotel booking

Read more here: https://t.co/OA4go694ao pic.twitter.com/kUYltuf1N0

— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) November 3, 2023

The booking was for a vacation with his wife and daughter, spanning five days in December 2021. Just three days before his check-in date, the booking was cancelled, citing the hotel’s “un-operational” status and unavailability of the room. An amount of ₹10,432 was refunded to the complainant.

However, when the complainant discovered that the same hotel rooms were available for the same dates, but at an higher cost of ₹27,207. He filed a complaint with the Consumer Commission.

Also read: OYO to add 500 hotels in ODI World Cup host cities

In response to the Commission, MakeMyTrip stated that it acted solely as an intermediary and facilitator between the complainant, the hotel, and the hospitality service provider, Oyo. Similarly, Oyo claimed that its role was limited to arranging the booking through its platform, with the operational responsibility resting on the hotel owner.

After hearing all parties involved, the Commission observed that the room’s price was escalating daily due to high demand at the hotel, with multiple customers vying for the same room at a higher price.

The Commission ruled that the complainant hired the services of OPs in advance so that he does not have to pay higher rates during peak peak season. Given that MakeMyTrip and the other parties failed to substantiate the cancellation of the complainant’s booking and the subsequent availability of the same room at exorbitant rates, the Commission granted the complaint and issued directions for compensation.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Dubai has a new party address and it’s at Palm Jumeirah

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Casually scrolling through my Instagram reels, I stumbled upon a captivating video that seemed to shout, “Habibi! Come to Dubai!” That was my cue to persuade my family and plan a long weekend trip to the UAE. With the end of the year approaching, it felt like the perfect time for a much-needed escape from the daily grind.

I worked out all the details and soon enough, we were standing at terminal two of Mumbai International Airport, bags in tow. One of the perks of a quick family getaway is the opportunity to experience luxury, detox, and unwind, without breaking the bank. Three hours and five minutes later, as I stepped into Dubai International Airport, my anticipation mounted. I was wondering what the newest attraction is in Dubai, which is renowned for its shopping, and that’s precisely where I decided to kick off my trip.

Dubai is a sought-after destination for travellers from India and across the world. But what makes a visit to Dubai special is a trip during the holiday season. If you’re undecided on where to stay and wish to indulge in luxury. FIVE Palm Jumeirah, with its diverse dining options and beach parties, would make for a great place to indulge in luxury.

Also read: Visiting Dubai Soon? OYO has a festive season offer for you

Nestled among upscale hotels that grace the Palm Jumeirah beach stretch including Atlantis The Palm, Anantara Dubai Resort and W Dubai–The Palm, this property offers an all-encompassing experience. Its location makes it an ideal destination for travellers seeking convenience and luxury.

Here’s a three-day itinerary that you could use to enjoy your holiday to the max:

Upon our arrival at the FIVE Palm Jumeirah, we were surprised to be greeted with custom bathrobes with our names embroidered on them, personalised pillows and an assortment of chocolates. The sea view rooms offer breathtaking vistas of the Dubai Marina skyline.

The dining experience:

We walked into Cinque for lunch, an Italian restaurant with its cuisine influenced by Sicilian heritage. We started with the Burrata Salad, a testament to Italian simplicity at its best. Pugliese burrata, ripe cherry tomatoes, and zesty tomato chutney combined to create a burst of Mediterranean flavours.

We tried Insalata ‘Cinque’, a fusion salad of vibrant elements, featuring creamy avocado, plump cherry tomatoes, juicy orange segments, delicate parmesan shavings, and a drizzle of balsamic dressing. It was a harmonious blend of sweet and savoury, a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to quality ingredients and artful presentation.

For our entrée, we opted for the authentic Italian pasta. The Tagliolini Cacio e Pepe was a no-brainer, and rightly so. The dish featured perfectly cooked tagliolini pasta enveloped in a luscious cacio cheese and a generous dusting of black pepper. It was simple yet incredibly satisfying.

To conclude on a sweet note, we indulged in the Baba Napoletano. This Neapolitan rum baba was a decadent delight, adorned with a velvety custard cream and a medley of fresh, seasonal fruit. It was the perfect ending to our meal.

We next headed to the FIVE Palm Jumeirah Beach, which is renowned for its Bohemia beach parties. It commences every Saturday at 1 pm and is something revellers should not miss.

For dinner, we chose to savour the culinary offering of The Penthouse Rooftop Lounge.

We started with Truffle french fries, followed by the Prawn Tempura, accompanied by the subtle warmth of ginger and daikon.

Homemade Chicken Gyoza made its way to our table, offering an exquisite blend of flavours. These gyoza, expertly crafted, were seasoned with ito togarashi, which was elevated by a touch of chilli oil and perfectly complemented the citrusy notes of ponzu sauce.

Next was the Dragon Soft Shell Crab, a dish that celebrated the delicate flavours of soft shell crab.

For dessert, we chose the signature champagne cream sorbet. This delightful creation combined the effervescence of GH Mumm Cordon with the freshness of raspberries and the tropical flair of Tongan. As my family has an undeniable weakness for desserts, we couldn’t resist ordering the Ecuador Chocolate. This dessert featured a velvety chocolate mousse, roasted plum, and the delightful addition of kinako ice cream. The meal cost a total of AED 415 (or nearly ₹9,400). As the clock ticked close to 2 am, we called it a night, having relished every moment of our dining experience.

Day 2

The following day, we decided to indulge in Chinese cuisine at the Maiden Shanghai. This is a 1920s Shanghai-inspired restaurant. Our meal included the crispy prawn and Chilean sea bass rolls (AED 75 or about ₹1,700) and Shan Cheng Chilli Chicken. For the main course, we ordered the sizzling mala beef (AED 225 or about ₹5,100).

We topped it off on a sweet note, with the tantalising Mango Noodles, a dessert that featured a medley of flavours and textures. This was a work of art, combining the refreshing essence of mango noodles with the exquisite accompaniments of Goji and raspberry compote. The subtle zing of orange ginger jam added a harmonious contrast, while the delightful sesame crumble brought a delightful crunch to each bite.

In addition to the Mango Noodles, we couldn’t resist the allure of the Mooncake. This dish was a fusion of flavours, with sweet potato taking centre stage. The inclusion of passion fruit ice cream added a tropical and tangy twist, creating a symphony of taste.

After a fulfilling lunch, we were in the mood for some retail therapy and didn’t have to venture far. Nakheel Mall, situated just 2.1 km from the FIVE Palm Jumeirah, beckoned.

As our Dubai escapade entered its second and final night, we decided to embrace the beachside allure of Praia, a beach club offering a California-inspired ladies’ night extravaganza on Mondays. The venue’s Instagram-worthy charm was undeniable. Nestled next to the FIVE Palm Jumeirah’s Social Pool, it offers stunning panoramas encompassing the Palm, JBR, and Dubai Marina.

The evening unfolded with live entertainment, urban music, and guest DJs setting the perfect tone for a memorable night. Our culinary journey continued with a delightful array of dishes, including a Caesar salad, creamy burrata, flavourful hummus served with warm pita bread, and a perfectly grilled Angus steak, cooked to medium-rare perfection, accompanied by a side of creamy mashed potatoes, which was a personal favourite.

After dinner, we decided to shake a leg and headed to BLING, a nightclub at FIVE Palm. Here, we danced our hearts out to the infectious beats of R&B and hip-hop music.

Day 3
As the final moments of our stay unfolded, it was time to head back to the airport. As we stepped away from the hotel’s embrace, we carried with us some cherished memories of a short yet fulfilling stay.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Game-changing move for homestays in Goa: Check how it will benefit locals and tourists

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Goa tourism department has released Home Stay and Caravan policies aimed at attracting tourists with a ‘beyond beaches’ experience to explore the coastal state which would boost the income of local people.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on October 31 said that the Home Stays policy will primarily benefit people living in Sanguem, Quepem, Canacona, Sattari, Bicholim and Pernem talukas.

“This policy also gives scope for women entrepreneurs as it aims to take tourists to the hinterlands. We have noticed that tourists like to stay in rural areas, especially during monsoon,” he said, according to PTI. The caravan policy will help travellers explore Goa in a much better way, he added.

The policies offer incentives for home stays and for creating infrastructure for parking caravans – the vehicles specially being used for travel, leisure and accommodation.

Also read: Aguad Interactive Museum inaugurated to showcase heritage and culture of Goa

Goa’s Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said that when tourists visit rural areas, they understand the culture of the state and heritage, and experience home-style cooking.

“Tourists start exploring what they have not explored in the past,” Khaunte said, adding both the policies will be in force for five years.

He highlighted that the first 100 home stays would enjoy incentives like a grant of Rs ₹2 lakh to upgrade necessary infrastructure.

“Additional incentives included electricity and water tariff on the line with domestic connections and waiving of registration fees,” tourism minister Khaunte said.

He added that the tourism department would provide high-speed Internet to some home stay owners.

Also read: Wealthy Russian tourists giving Goa a miss to visit Dubai instead

Speaking about the Caravan policy, he said that amenities would be created in the beach belt for parking caravans. Such parking facilities would be created in rural parts of the state for tourists to enjoy lush green forests.

The minister said that a fund of ₹20 lakh would be provided as subsidy to create the infrastructure for parking caravans under the new policy.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

India developing cleanliness framework to revolutionise tourism standards

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The government is developing the ‘Swachhata (cleanliness) Rating Framework’ to assess all tourism businesses based on their standards of sanitation and hygiene, revealed Tourism Secretary V Vidyavathi. Speaking to PTI, she explained that the government is in the process of creating the ‘Sawcheta Rating Framework’ that adheres to the ‘Travel for Life’ principles, a component of the Sustainable Tourism Policy, with a focus on ensuring that establishments are clean and hygienic.

Vidyavathi elaborated, “The framework will encompass businesses of all sizes, with an emphasis on maintaining cleanliness and ensuring tidiness of their premises and surroundings. Ratings will be assigned based on several criteria, including waste disposal methods.”

However, she pointed out that this initiative is still under development, with the Tourism Ministry engaging in consultations with various relevant departments and stakeholders.

Also read: Air India limited-period sale offers fares starting at Rs 40,000 on return flights to Europe

Regarding the much-anticipated Tourism Policy, the secretary revealed that the government is actively working on it, aiming to align it more closely with the evolving requirements of the tourism sector.

“We are currently revising the Tourism Policy, fine-tuning our focus areas to adapt to changing tourism needs. We want this policy to be a collective effort, involving the government, industry, state governments, and travellers. We anticipate its release soon, with our target set for the end of the financial year 2024,” she added.

Vidyavathi emphasised that the tourism sector significantly contributes to employment opportunities across various sectors, emphasising that India’s fundamental offerings would revolve around culture, pilgrimage, and eco-tourism.

Furthermore, discussing the recent surge in the tourism sector, the secretary expressed her satisfaction with the post-Covid-19 recovery, noting that the industry has already reached approximately 80% of the pre-pandemic levels in terms of tourist footfalls.

Also read: As travel rebounds, India targeting 100 million foreign tourist arrivals

“We anticipate surpassing pre-Covid levels by the conclusion of this financial year (FY24). The travel and tourism sector has made a strong comeback since the situation stabilised, and the G-20 Summit provided an additional boost to the industry. It is now our responsibility to sustain this momentum,” Vidyavathi remarked.

She also observed that India is witnessing a rise in inbound tourism, with tourists exploring a wider range of destinations across the country, including offbeat locations. The goal is to position India as a year-round tourist destination, highlighting the nation’s diverse offerings.

With inputs from agencies

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow