Travel sans the travails

VIRTUAL TRAVEL is a lot easier today, because of the many bonuses that it gives: no more does one have to contend with surly ticket staff, unsafe food and water, bumpy rides, lost baggage, mosquitoes...

But the Internet is chock full of sites which want to convince people that the real thing is better, even in India.

What is more, the websites promise to do away with some of the bother of arranging travel formalities and getting the right information.

The latest travel website to announce its presence is India Online Travel, promoted by Mr. D. Sudhakara Reddy, who has been voicing the unflattering impressions of air travellers about various airline issues for some time now, through the Air Passengers' Association.

The new venture is by Coral Technologies India, of which he is Chairman.

What is the USP that www.indiaonlinetravel.com has, to elbow its way into an aggressive market? When online booking of air and rail tickets is offered by the respective Indian carriers and the Railways, the site is likely to offer the facility, says Mr. Nischal Reddy, Director.

Otherwise, the content is aimed at travellers of every kind - tourists, NRIs, corporates, package tour groups, pilgrims, students and incentive travel groups.

Hotel reservations, car rental and special pilgrim tour package information are also to form part of the services.

An e-zine on tourism and the travel trade is an add on, delivered to registered visitors.

By T. S. Shankar

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