Entrepreneur Claims Sri Lanka Beats Rishikesh On Price And Experience; Internet Reacts

A social media post by an entrepreneur has sparked fresh discussion over whether travelling abroad is becoming more affordable than vacationing within India. The debate began after he claimed that a friend abandoned plans for a trip to Rishikesh after comparing the costs with a holiday in Sri Lanka and found the international getaway offered far better value.The post was shared by Paritsh Sharrma, an entrepreneur building an AI platform. He revealed that his friend initially planned to visit Rishikesh but was discouraged after finding hotel rates ranging from Rs 9,000 to Rs 15,000 per night, while one-way flights from Mumbai to Delhi cost around Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000.Instead, his friend booked a vacation in Sri Lanka on a similar budget. According

to Sharrma, the trip included stays at 5-star sea-facing hotels costing between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 per night. He argued that the island nation offered better value, highlighting its cleaner surroundings, calmer atmosphere, and tourism-friendly experience."Indian tourism is getting too expensive for what it offers," Sharrma wrote, warning that domestic destinations could lose travellers if prices continue to outpace the quality of the experience.

His post quickly gained traction online, with many users agreeing that rising airfares and accommodation costs are making overseas holidays more attractive than domestic trips.Several commenters also criticised the state of tourism infrastructure in India, pointing to poor service, overcrowding, unhygienic conditions, and inflated prices. One user said that dealing with "cab mafia" and "shop mafia," coupled with dirty surroundings, makes travelling within the country frustrating, adding they would rather stay home or choose a cleaner international destination.Others suggested budget-friendly alternatives, including travelling to Rishikesh via Mathura and staying in hostels to cut costs. Many also stressed the need for cleaner public spaces, better civic sense, and improved hospitality, while one commenter argued that destinations in East Asia provide a far better overall tourism experience despite similar or lower costs.