Inspired by the exploits of Hritik Roshan and his friends in ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’, Pravin Shah, a city-based businessman, has packed his bags for Spain for a week during Diwali.
“I have already visited Far- East and Middle-East destinations, and wanted to explore a new place during Diwali holidays. While watching ZNMD, I was enamored by the scenic beauty of Spain and promptly booked my vacation there,” says Shah.
Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters are fuelling desire in globe-trotting Gujaratis to explore newer avenues.
In fact, many tourists from Gujarat have chosen to spend their vacations in destinations which have rarely been in demand before. Spain, which has never been a popular choice, has caught attention of some tourists from Gujarat after watching its spectacular beauty in Hrithik Roshan-Katrina Kaif starrer, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, say tour operators. “There has been a surge in demand for buying a sevenday Spain package for spending Diwali vacation from Gujarat,” said SOTC officials. As more films are being shot in Prague, Russia, Estonia and Greece, these Mediterranean destinations are also generating interest. While Hrithik-Kaif starrer has impelled rise in inquiries and bookings particularly for Spain, other English and Hindi films have also helped in selling odd destinations this time, say travel agencies.
According to IPK’s Asian Travel Monitor and ITB World Travel Trends Report, some Mediterranean countries like Spain, Malta, Egypt (Cairo), Spain, Croatia and Cyprus are attracting Indian visitors. Saumil Desai from Escape agrees, saying, “Though a relatively small number, visitors from Gujarat are eyeing Spain, Malta, and other Mediterranean options.”
Vikram Patel, 30, a real estate developer, plans to spend Diwali in Malta, an island country in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. “I felt inclined to visit Malta after I saw its beauty in movie Gladiator,” said Patel, adding, “And desire to explore newer avenue pushed me towards this offbeat option.”
