Hyderabad: The 450-day wait for US tourist visas has led many travellers from Hyderabad to explore other destinations for their vacations. Travel agents report a notable rise in interest in countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and European hotspots such as Portugal, France, and Spain. Closer to home, visa-free destinations like Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the UAE have also seen increased demand.
“The US has always been a preferred destination for families, especially during the winter holidays, as the weather is ideal, and many parents visit their children,” said Ravi Sharma, a city-based travel agent.
“But with the long wait times, travellers are looking elsewhere. Over the past few months, we observed a 40% increase in…
