TripAdvisor announces India’s only travel price index for summer 2012

-          TripIndex™ reveals the price of an evening out in key cities in India and around the world

TripAdvisor^®, the world’s largest travel site*, today launched the second edition of its annual TripIndex™, a travel price index of 48 key international tourist cities, major Indian metropolitan cities and popular holiday spots in India. The index helps travellers determine the cost for an evening out for two people in these destinations.

TripIndex tracks the cost for travellers of one night’s accommodation, a pre-meal drink, dinner and a taxi ride in each city*.

According to Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager TripAdvisor (India) “With a depreciating Rupee, unrelenting inflation, skyrocketing airfares & an economic slowdown, Indian travellers have good reason right now to be  concerned while they budget for their travel. TripIndex can help travellers, especially those who are budget conscious, with a quick & useful reference to decide on their holiday destination”.

International TripIndex™ : Around the World these Rupee days

·   Ahead of the Olympics, London (UK) bags the top spot as most expensive city in the international list followed by Oslo (Norway) & Zurich (Switzerland) this summer with a TripIndex cost of `28,879 nearly 4 times more expensive than Hanoi, Vietnam which emerges as the cheapest with a TripIndex cost of `7858.72. With seven out of the ten most expensive international cities in Europe, it emerges at the costliest continent to visit. Southeast Asia is the cheapest region, with four out of the cheapest ten cities from SEA.

·     Cheapest Hotel: Hotels in Bangkok are the cheapest stay with an average hotel room cost of `4519.9. London accommodation is more than four times that amount with an average hotel room cost of `20,148.77.

·      Cheapest Taxi Ride: A two mile return taxi fare in Oslo can set you back by `2920 while the same distance in Beijing is a meagre `95.75.

·      Cheapest Dinner: Travellers need to dish out eight times the money for a dinner for two in Oslo against a comparable meal in Hong Kong.

·       Cheapest Cocktail: Think twice before you raise a toast in Paris, which is the most expensive city to grab a martini for two with a cost of `3210.10. The same cocktail is over 5 times cheaper in Bangkok at `526.3.

Pocket Foe & Pocket Friendly holidays

·      Dharamsala emerges as the most budget friendly holiday spot in the list with a TripIndex cost of `3,876. Nashik, with its fast growing wine tourism, is the second least expensive destination with a TripIndex cost of `4,201. Time to raise a toast to a pocket friendly vacation!

·     Serene Mahabaleshwar could make a traveller skip a beat not only with its beautiful locales but also with its high prices as it emerges as the most expensive destination on the Indian holiday TripIndex list at a cost of `9,331 followed closely by Kochi at a cost of `9,217.

Metro-Meter

·       In the international list Mumbai ranks 35 on the list while it is the most expensive city in the India TripIndex at a total cost of `13,017, followed by Delhi& Chennai at `12,978 & `12,530 respectively.

·      With a difference of less than `160, the TripIndex cost of a night in Delhi compares to a night in Cape Town, you could trade a night in Chennai with Macau & Kolkata works out as much as a night out in Warsaw.

·      Chennai taxis are the most expensive with a cost of `201 with the same journey costing `100 in Pune.

·     In Mumbai be ready to cough up `1400 for a martini for two, while barely 150 kms away the same tipple costs you 40% cheaper in Pune.

United only by the Travel bug

·      South India leads as most expensive region on average TripIndex cost of (`8903.26) closely
     followed by West (`8186.16.), East (`6344.75) and North (`5335.22). Hotel prices also follow the
     same pattern with average hotel room rates highest in South India (`6678.25) followed similarly by
     West(`6109.67), East (`4774.2) & North (`4169).

*Regional data includes the major Indian metropolitan cities and popular holiday spots featured in the TripIndex

International TripIndex™ Cities

Best value International Cities
Destination	Hotel(`)	Taxi(`)	Dinner(`)	Cocktail(`)	Total(`)
Hanoi, Vietnam	4,729.76	275.71	1,597.60	1,255.64	7,858.72
Beijing, China	5,922.90	95.76	1,531.41	1,320.18	8,870.25
Bangkok Thailand	4,519.97	112.91	3,859.70	526.32	9,018.91
Budapest, Hungary	5,822.89	546.47	2,408.85	2,008.41	10,786.63
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	6,325.02	205.06	3,211.90	1,098.21	10,840.18

Most Expensive International Cities
Destination	Hotel(`)	Taxi(`)	Dinner(`)	Cocktail(`)	Total(`)
London, UK	20,148.77	1,937.06	4,612.29	2,181.37	28,879.50
Oslo, Norway	12,253.71	2,920.23	10,687.27	2,058.33	27,919.54
Zurich, Switzerland	16,268.67	2,107.82	7,202.09	1,508.90	27,087.48
Paris, France	17,088.55	841.60	5,675.60	3,210.10	26,815.85
Stockholm, Sweden	12,186.29	2,639.84	9,601.79	1,956.59	26,384.51

The full TripIndex is available at: http://cdn.tripadvisor.com

India: Metro TripIndex

Destination	Hotel(`)	Taxi(`)	Dinner(`)	Cocktail(`)	Total(`)
Mumbai	8015	151	3452	1400	13017
Delhi	8150	161	3467	1200	12978
Chennai	8187	201	3242	900	12530
Kolkata	8035	141	2101	880	11157
Bangalore	7342	124	2682	950	11098
Hyderabad	6639	153	2503	1130	10425
Pune	6500	100	2250	850	9700
Ahmedabad	6391	129	705	260*	7485

India: Holiday TripIndex

Destination	Hotel(`)	Taxi(`)	Dinner(`)	Cocktail(`)	Total(`)
Mahabaleshwar	8156.4	375	500	300	9331
Kochi	8337	250	370	260	9217
Andaman	6437.2	312.5	475	260	7485
Ooti	5359	337.5	500	200	6397
Matheran	4357	375	400	250	5382
Gangtok	4329.8	250	400	200	5180
Goa	4446.2	350	275	100	5171
Manali	4304	200	300	200	5004
Srinagar	4151	162.5	315	180	4809
Jaipur	4039	162.5	350	220	4772
Shillong	3459	375	435	350	4619
Darjeeling	3273	200	700	250	4423
Shimla	3612	175	365	260	4412
Nashik	3238.6	362.5	350	250	4201
Udaipur	3303	187.5	390	240	4121
Ladakh	3497	200	265	140	4102
Agra	3282	162.5	280	220	3945
Dharamsala	3183	212.5	280	200	3876

Notes to the Editor

·       TripIndex is a cost-comparison of a night out in popular cities around the world for summer 2012, taking into account typical costs for two people having a pre-meal cocktail, a meal out, taxis and a night in a hotel.

·       The destination list comprises key cities from 48 of the 50 countries with the largest number of international tourist arrivals (data compiled by the UNWTO).

·       Hotel prices shown specify the average per-night cost of a room at four-star hotels found on TripAdvisor (via partner booking sites such as online travel agencies and direct hotel suppliers) in each destination for the summer travel period (1 June - 31 August 2012).

·       Dinner prices specify the average cost of a traditional or common two-course meal (starter and main course) for two people with a bottle of house white wine (prices averaged from three mid-range restaurants in each destination). 

·       Cocktail prices specify the average cost of two traditional dry martinis from a top-rated five-star hotel on TripAdvisor in each destination.

·       Taxi prices identify the approximate cost of two taxi journeys of two miles each (representing an evening’s return transportation).  Data was taken from local authorities, recognised taxi companies and/or travel experts on the area.

·      TripIndex prices (hotels excluded) were taken in local currencies between March and May 2012 and converted into INR on 29th May 2012.  Hotel prices were taken in USD on 8 May 2012 and converted into INR on 29th May 2012.

·      All prices shown exclude taxes and service fees except for countries where such costs are routinely included in listed prices

·       Mumbai prices are included in the International TripIndex list. The price index for the other 7 metropolitan cities of Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune and Ahmedabad is also based on the same basket of goods as described above. However, prices for these were taken in INR. *Ahmedabad being a dry state, the cost of a pre-meal drink for two is substituted by the price of 2 mocktails. The cost of a bottle of house white wine (part of the dinner cost) has also been replaced by the cost of 2 mocktails.

Holiday TripIndex

·       Holiday TripIndex is a cost-comparison of a night out in popular Indian holiday destinations, taking into account typical costs for two people having a pre-meal drink (alcoholic), a meal out, taxi and a night in a hotel.

·      The destination list is editorial based and comprises of popular tourist destinations from across India representing cities in the north, south, east, west and an union territory. 

·       Hotel prices shown specify the average per-night cost of a room at two/three-star hotels found on TripAdvisor (via partner booking sites such as online travel agencies and direct hotel suppliers) in each destination for the summer travel period (1 June - 31 August 2012). 

·       Beverage prices specify the average cost of a pint (330ml) of domestic beer in a two/three-star hotel.  In case that price is not available, the average price is taken from three local mid-scale restaurants/bars at the destination.

·       Dinner prices specify the cost of a traditional shared meal including one portion of rice, vegetable and pulse in a two/three-star hotel. In destinations where this cost cannot be found, an average cost is taken from three local mid-scale restaurants.

·       Taxi prices identify the approximate cost of a two hour journey in each destination. Data was obtained from the local government or a large taxi company operating in the area. 

·        All prices shown exclude taxes and service fees except for where such costs might be included in listed prices. All prices were taken in INR.

TripAdvisor’s Top 7 Waterfall Destinations in India make a splash

If you have been thinking of a break to escape the scorching summer and soothe your nerves, but with a dash of adventure and exhilaration thrown in, this is the trip for you.   TripAdvisor. In® - the world’s largest travel site, lists the top 7 waterfalls from across the country to re-energize you with sights and sounds of breathtaking cascades.

The Top 7 Waterfalls in India Slideshow: TripAdvisor’s trip from Munnar, Kerala, India to 5 cities Karnataka, Wayanad, Jabalpur, McLeod Ganj and Thrissur was created by TripAdvisor. See another India slideshow. Take your travel photos and make a slideshow for free.

In feng shui it is believed that water fountains are a source of positive energy, beneficial for relaxation and even have the power to calm the disturbed mind. Waterfalls are nature’s water fountains of scale, exercising the same power on our mind and body.

Getting to waterfalls is not usually an easy journey and often a lot of effort needs to be made to reach them, taking you off the beaten path and away from the stress of city life. The pure air,  the therapeutic sound of water  and the mesmerizing  sight of  the falls  helps revive the senses making it a great getaway option with family, friends or even alone! In these destinations, travellers can experience the beauty of diverse landscapes from mountains, hill forests, valleys, to coastal cliffs and even a national park!

Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager, TripAdvisor India, says  “With Indian travellers looking for a respite from the rising temperatures as well as offbeat holiday locations, our list of some of the best waterfall destinations in the country offer some great options for just such a break.”     

1.      Shivasamudram Falls (Mandya, Karnataka, India, Height: 322 ft): If you have been looking for a quick getaway near Bangalore or Mysore, hop on to your bike now and head for Shivasamudram Falls. Surrounded by hill forests of the Kaveri Wildlife Sanctuary, the place is a visual treat. As a TripAdvisor traveller puts it, “If you are a nature lover and wish to breathe in the fresh air with water droplets sprinkling on your face, head to this place, it is one of the most beautiful creations of nature.”

2.       Athirappally Falls (Thrissur, Kerala, Height: 82ft): Athirappally falls is the top rated attraction on TripAdvisor website in Thrissur. Mani Ratnam chose this enchanting waterfall to shoot parts of Raavan starring Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai.  If you wish to see huge mountains, deep valleys, dense greenery and a beautiful waterfall – all in their full glory, visit Athirapally during monsoon. A TripAdvisor traveller recommends, “Don't miss it for anything if you are in Kerala.”

3.     Dhuandhar Falls (Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Height: 98 ft): Only 16 kms away from Jabalpur city, Dhuandar Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in central India. The picturesque beauty of this place has been beautifully captured in Shahrukh Khan’s movie Asoka. Visit this place right after monsoons, preferably during Shivratri when the white rocks appear silver in the moonlight. Don’t miss the boat ride if you wish to access beautiful places that cannot be visited by foot. Pick up beautiful souvenirs from road side shops that sell marble sculptures, paintings and customized gift items. According to a TripAdvisor traveller, “Chausat Yogini temple in the vicinity is another hidden gem”, do visit!

4.      Dudhsagar Falls (Goa, Height: 1017 ft): If you are tired of visiting beaches in Goa, Dudhsagar Falls, 90 kms from Panaji should be an ideal choice for you. The entry is through a national park so one can spot animals and bathe elephants. The falls look stunning post monsoon as it ripples with bubbling foam-like water. You might not get a cab but hire a bike and ride alongside the railway tracks! A TripAdvisor traveller says, “Visit this place if you wish to see Goa at its natural best”. So go ahead, enjoy the bountiful nature and be adventurous.

5.      Soochippara Falls (Wayanad, Kerala, Height: 656 ft): Soochippara Falls in Wayanad, also known as Sentinel Rock Waterfalls is an ideal spot for budget travellers who do not want to spend money on costly water parks. Visit during the monsoon and take Meppadi route to enjoy scenic views of some of the best tea estates in Wayanad. The best attractions in Soochippara Falls are the tree top huts presenting a distinct view of the Western Ghats. The waterfalls have a cliff face which is ideal for rock climbing. According to a TripAdvisor traveller, “The trek can get tiring but the view is worth the time and effort.

6.    Attukal Waterfalls (Munnar, Kerala, Height: 196 ft): Set amidst hills and jungles, Attukal Waterfalls is the most noteworthy tourism attraction in Munnar.  The place is known for its tranquility, majestic falls and beautiful locales and is ideal for long trekking and hiking. As a TripAdvisor traveller puts it, “The waterfall set against the backdrop of the tea plantations is just amazing.” The falls are at their glorious best between September and May. When there, make sure you stop and have a Masala Chai whilst watching the falls crash.

7.   Bhagsu Waterfall (Mcleod Gunj, Himachal Pradesh, Height: 7112 ft): Bhagsu Waterfall in McLeodganj is a small but an incredibly beautiful place. The waterfall became popular after an Israeli movie Hummus Curry was shot here. Only 20 minutes walk from the popular Bhagsu Temple, it is an ideal place for those who like to combine a spiritual trip with a small getaway. As a TripAdvisor traveller puts it, “The region offers breathtaking views of surrounding hilly ranges and woody forests. The ambiance of the place is dynamic and the atmosphere is cool and pleasant.” The hilly terrain can make the trek a little tricky but the view after reaching is absolutely worth it! Pick up local handicraft souvenirs from shops on the way.

Travel tips for an eco-friendly holiday

Before your holiday

1.      Start with opting for e tickets and boarding passes on your phone instead of printing out paper tickets (if your airline offers the option)

2.      Cancel the newspaper for the days you are away

3.      Make sure you unplug all your appliances and shut all lights & fans

During your holiday

4.      Cycle with the family to get around to places close by to the hotel instead of hailing a cab every time

5.      Be sure to turn off extra power consuming devices if your are heading out - hotel room Television/ AC and lights

6.      Reduce laundry usage in the hotel: don’t ask housekeeping to change your towels, sheets every day.

7.      Do not litter your surroundings at your holiday spot especially when hiking or trekking in the outdoors.

8.      Find accommodation that is walking distance to the attractions you want to visit or at least walking distance from local trains, subways instead of taking cabs and hiring cars

9.      Take pictures and leave the location as you found it. Never remove wildlife from it’s natural environment including shells, flowers and coral

10.  Use re-chargeable batteries for your gadgets

TripAdvisor reveals 10 idyllic getaways in the hills this summer!

-  Top 10 hill station hotels in India for a perfect summer retreat

As the temperatures soar across the country, the hills seem to be the ideal solution to keep your cool on vacation. TripAdvisor^®, the world’s largest travel site*, today announced the list of top 10 hill station hotels in India to consider for your summer holidays. The rankings have been based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travellers from India and around the world.

Himachal Pradesh’s breathtaking natural beauty with its dense deodar forests, snow capped mountains and apple orchards have made it the top destination in the list, followed by Jammu & Kashmir. With as many as five hotels in the top 10 list, Himachal Pradesh and J&K with two hotels in the list are ahead of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttarakhand all of which have one property each.

The list offers options to suit the travellers seeking serenity as well as those looking to taste a little adventure in the outdoors. For those who prefer a vacation amidst the natural surroundings, Machan & Camp Canopy in Lonavala is a perfect getaway. Unique tree house that provides a spectacular view of the Western Ghats also offers luxury comparable to some of the best hotels in India. For those contemplating an adventurous trip, staying at the Ladakh Sarai really completes the Ladakh experience. As a TripAdvisor traveller puts it “One can stay in Mongolian tents and still enjoy all the comforts of a home.”

“TripAdvisor’s top hill station hotels list shares some beautiful escapes in the country for those looking to head to the hills to beat the scorching summer days ahead” commented Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager -India.  

India’s Top Hill Station Hotels:

1.      Wildflower Hall, Mashobra

2.      Chapslee, Shimla

3.      Orange County  Coorg, Kodagu

4.      Oberoi Cecil, Shimla

5.      The Machan & Camp Canopy, Lonavala

6.      The Amber - Vermont Estate, Mussoorie

7.      Solang Valley Resort, Manali

8.      Honeymoon Inn, Manali

9.      Hotel Dar-Es-Salam, Srinagar

10.  Ladakh Sarai, Ladakh

TripAdvisor city guides now available for 50 global travel destinations

-          Highly rated mobile app adds 30 cities, plus new features like transit maps and customised itinerary suggestions for Android users

TripAdvisor^®, the world’s largest travel site*, today announced that City Guides, the highly rated and free mobile app, is now available for 50 leading destinations around the world, more than doubling its original portfolio of travel guides.  Conveniently accessible even when the user is offline, the app now includes three new features on its Android version, giving travellers the ability to view local transit stations, create personalised maps, and see itinerary suggestions from travel experts, in addition to reviews and opinions from the greater TripAdvisor community.

“Users have already raved about the ease of use and helpfulness of TripAdvisor City Guides, with more than a million app downloads to date,” said Adam Medros, vice president of global product at TripAdvisor. “We are excited to bring more cities and enhanced functionality to travellers, and ultimately help them enjoy their trips even more.”

New App Features for Android Users

1.      Transit – Users can now view metro or subway stations on a map. Unique to City Guides, the “Nearby Station” feature helps travellers find the closest station to their current location, or to a particular restaurant, hotel, or attraction.

2.      TripIdeas - TripIdeas are customised itinerary recommendations based on popular travel themes, such as travelling with family, foodie destinations, and places off the beaten path. Each itinerary includes beautiful large photos for inspiration. Users can keep track of their favourite TripIdeas in their “Saves” list.

3.      Offline Map Update – Users can now fully customise their own maps. This feature displays saved destinations, metro stations, and any restaurants, hotels, and attractions of interest, to help travellers plan and have their perfect trip.

30 New City Guides, Now Available for Download on Android and iOS

1. Athens
2. Austin
3. Bangkok
4. Budapest
5. Buenos Aires
6. Dubai
7. Dublin
8. Edinburgh
9. Istanbul
10. Kuala Lumpur
11. Madrid
12. Manchester
13. Marrakech
14. Miami/Miami Beach
15. Milan
16. Montreal
17. New Orleans
18. Philadelphia
19. Prague
20. Rio de Janeiro
21. San Antonio
22. San Diego
23. Seattle
24. Seoul
25. Shanghai
26. Singapore
27. Taipei
28. Toronto
29. Vancouver
30. Vienna

The City Guides app, featuring all 50 destinations, is now available worldwide in English. To download the free app(s), please visit Google’s Android Market or Apple’s App Store. More information about TripAdvisor mobile offerings can be found at www.tripadvisor.com/apps

About Mobile City Guides

Mobile City Guides offer convenient smartphone access to a wealth of detailed destination information including traveller reviews and opinions on hotels, restaurants and attractions, as well as suggested itineraries and offline-accessible interactive walking tours. The Mobile City Guides are automatically synched with the freshest TripAdvisor content available so users can access the latest traveller reviews and opinions on the go. This feature also offers walking tours and insider tips that can be viewed on the app without a data connection, including in-depth information on neighbourhoods, history, culture, architecture, weather and transportation. Access to offline information is particularly useful for travellers abroad, who can download the apps before they go, sparing them from expensive roaming charges.