As of Date, more than 27 crore doses have been administered to Indians, and vaccinated people should not be surprised if they receive a discount when booking a flight or a hotel room.
Discounts & Special Fares To Incentivize Travel
Discounts and special fares are being rolled out by the online travel agents and airlines emerging, who are planning to emerge from the sucker punch that the pandemic has blown to them by the pandemic. They have come up with a plan to incentivize travel and support the ongoing vaccination campaign.
Not just that, companies in travel and hotel bookings like MakeMyTrip are allowing users to not only book vaccination slots on its platform but also download and link the vaccination certificate to user profiles. They can then take advantage of special travel offers and value-adds on bookings made through the platform.
The company said that such a move supports the vaccination drive while making travel “hassle-free, seamless and rewarding for vaccinated travellers.”
Offers such as room upgrades, complimentary meals and drinks, and hotel credit of up to 1,000 per room night have been introduced by MakeMyTrip, along with its hotel partners.
MakeMyTrip, a company that assists travelers with hotel bookings and travel reservations, offers vaccination slots on its platform, as well as the ability to download and link vaccination certificates. Vaccinated users can then take advantage of special offers and value adds on bookings made through the platform.
The initiative is a step towards supporting the vaccination drive while making travel “hassle-free, seamless and rewarding for vaccinated travellers,” the company said.
Till 30 June, a discount to vaccinated customers on flights, hotels, and bus bookings is also offered by the rival EaseMyTrip. The firm has set a minimum booking amount, and coupon code EMTSHIELD can make the booking.
Nishant Pitti, CEO and co-founder of EaseMyTrip said the company plans to use the initiative to encourage people to get their vaccination so that they may schedule an upcoming vacation or reunite with family and friends.
IndiGo Giving Discounts To Those Who Are Vaccinated
Meanwhile, a 10% discount beginning Friday is being offered by India’s largest domestic airline, IndiGo, to Travelers who have taken at least one dose of the covid-19 vaccine. The discount would be given on base fare. Also, only “limited inventory” is available under this offer.
A vaccination certificate must be furnished by the travelers at the airport check-in counter.
Sanjay Kumar, chief strategist and chief financial officer at IndiGo, said: “Being the largest airline in the country, we feel it is our job to contribute to the national immunization campaign.”
Experts say that in addition to supporting the vaccination campaign, these are just commercial campaigns. “These offers look like a well-planned marketing strategy to attract customers and get more businesses. Airlines, for example, offer discounts but in limited seats. The goal is to get as many businesses as possible, “said Madan Sabnavis, an economist at Care Ratings Ltd.
