Thomas Cook and SOTC witness a growing trend for festival tourism in the country

Thomas Cook and SOTC witness a growing trend for festival tourism in the country Launch unique festive tours for Durga Puja, Dussehra, Diwali

●        Includes special Regional Group Tours targeting high potential source markets like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra

●        Special Tours accompanied by an experienced tour manager with regional flavours

●        Attractive discounts and early bird offers

Mumbai, September 02, 2024: Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India's leading omnichannel travel services company and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have leveraged the new trend of festive tourism through the launch of unique festive tours for Dussehra, Durga Puja and Diwali. Indians are shifting focus from traditional home-based ceremonies to traveling with family for fun/bonding celebrations while also discovering new destinations. This trend reflects a significant evolution among Indian travellers.

The Evolving Festive Tourism Trend

Traditionally, Indian festivals have involved family gatherings at home. However, there's a marked and growing trend where families, including multiple generations, are choosing to celebrate these special occasions – for bonding time and celebrations, while exploring favourite/new destinations. With school holidays coinciding with major festivals, families are seizing the opportunity to travel. In addition to families, young working professionals are combining festive holidays with weekends towards a welcome break to relax and celebrate.

Festive Tour Highlights

●        Durga Puja Specials: all-inclusive tours with fixed departures around Durga Puja (e.g., Darsaniya Europe, Akorshonio France/Swiss, Osaadharon Great Britain/Japan/Vietnam, Swapner Spain & Portugal, Monomughdo Scandinavia), Vietnam and the USA, Asia Te Hoi Choi, Asia Te Sathe Thailand, Bhutan, and Nepal. Domestic options include Andamaner Samudra Sikate; Kashmir, and Kerala

●        Diwali Specials: Himachal Pradesh, the North East, Kerala, and Kashmir. International: Bhutan, Bali, Singapore, and select European destinations. Festive tours: Albelu Dubai, Manmohak Asia, Akarshak Asia

Personalised Holidays are also available, co-curated by Thomas Cook and SOTC holiday experts with customers.

Festive tourism trends

●        Longer stays and increased spends: Indians are opting for longer vacations, from the traditional 3 days to 6 -15 days. The appetite to spend has increased by 10-15% YoY. Young India is embracing extended trips, combining weekends with festival holidays for a 5- 6 days break

●        Destinations:

Favourite destinations:

o    Domestic/Sub-Continent: Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Andamans, Kerala, Rajasthan, Goa, Karnataka, North East, Sri Lanka and Bhutan

o    International: Dubai, Abu-Dhabi, Maldives, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Oman, Australia-New Zealand, Switzerland, France, Finland

o    Emerging Destinations: Fresh new and unique destinations such as Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Georgia, Japan and Western Europe (to view the vivid autumn colours)

●        Visa-Free and easy-visa destinations: Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka; eVisa and easy visa: Dubai-Abu Dhabi, Indonesia (Bali), Maldives, are also in high demand

●        Pilgrimages and spiritual journeys: Leveraging the festive-religious fervour, Thomas Cook and SOTC have focused on spiritual journeys with their Pilgrimage Plus tours in Kashi, Ayodhya, Rameswaram, Tirupati, Amritsar, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Dwarka and Sri Lanka: ‘Ramayan Anant Yatra,’ and ‘Ramayan Trail’

●        Strongly emerging tier 2-3 source markets: Regional India is emerging as a powerful market and capitalising on this trend, Thomas Cook and SOTC have launched regional departures in Karnataka, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Maharashtra

●        Premium/affordable luxury travel: Travellers are opting for luxury resorts and spas, with destinations like France, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Morocco

●        Cruises: Domestic, South East Asia, and Middle East sailings (Costa Cruises, Resort World Cruises, Cordelia) 

Attractive pricing and special offers

To inspire demand, Thomas Cook and SOTC are offering exclusive discounts on their festive tours

Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, said, "We are observing a discernible shift in how families are celebrating festivals. Travel has become non-negotiable, with customers increasingly using festival periods as an opportunity to both celebrate and explore new destinations. Our specially curated festive tours are crafted to cater to this evolving trend, seamlessly blending cultural celebrations with immersive travel experiences. This approach not only meets the growing demand but also enhances the way customers engage with both festivals and travel"

Daniel D’Souza, President & Country Head - Holidays, SOTC Travel Limited, said, "As we celebrate our 75th year, we are delighted to offer specially curated festive tours that reflect our deep understanding of the Indian traveler. Our new portfolio addresses the increasing demand from family/multi-generational and young India - ensuring a memorable festive season for all. Additionally, our SOTC Holiday Bazaars across key markets highlight offer customers easy access to book their holidays – right at their doorstep!"

Thomas Cook and SOTC announce exclusive charter flights to Bhutan Special Summer departures from Bengaluru

Fresh-Unique experiences: archery, authentic local meals, lunch at a farmhouse, beer tasting

Experienced local Bhutanese guides Attractive pricing. Special discount: Rs. 10,000.00 per person

Mumbai, January 2024: Post-pandemic, with Indians becoming increasingly discerning travellers and seeking fresh new destinations, Bhutan is emerging strongly on the radar - displaying a growth in demand of 25% compared to last year. To capitalise on this high potential, Thomas Cook (India) Limited - India’s leading omnichannel travel services company and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have launched a ground-breaking initiative – exclusive charter flights to Paro (Bhutan) from Bengaluru, starting April 2024.

South India represents a key source market for Thomas Cook & SOTC Travel, already contributing over 45% to the companies’ business to the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, and growing. However, the significant challenge is the lack of direct air connectivity from India’s southern region, resulting in both an increase in cost (approximately 15%), and inconvenience (multiple flights, changing airports/terminals, multiple check-ins and baggage drop/collection, etc). This gap formed the genesis of the companies’ Blue Ocean strategy - with the launch of special charters to Bhutan from Bengaluru.

Bengaluru represents a strategic gateway, giving Thomas Cook and SOTC increased access via a hub and spoke model, to the powerful and growing source markets – of not just Karnataka, but also the larger Southern region.

The Thomas Cook and SOTC Bhutan charters include group tours (GIT), individual travel (FIT) and ad-hoc groups, in a focussed endeavour that targets multigenerational families, groups of friends, couples/honeymooners and Young India.

Bhutan is known to be one of the happiest and greenest countries in the world and the first carbon-negative nation. The destination offers travellers spectacular scenic vistas, distinctive monasteries, romantic hotspots, nature reserves, Himalayan terrain and lush green valleys, rejuvenating hot-stone baths; with its unique culture and its warm welcoming people being a strong USP. Bhutan offers something for every discerning traveller.

Unique Experiences:

The Companies’ Bhutan Charter product includes handpicked experiences: a visit to Bhutan’s most sought after monasteries- Taktsang Palphug, Rinpung Dzong, the ancient Punakha Dzong; exploring the weekend market in Thimphu; learning archery; hot stone therapy at natural hot springs; sightseeing near Bhutan’s oldest walking suspension bridge - the Punakha Suspension Bridge. The tour also includes local Bhutanese meals, lunch at a farmhouse, beer tasting with snacks at Paro; and a local Bhutanese guide throughout the tour.

Outdoor/adventure and nature enthusiasts get to experience the adrenalin rush of white water rafting at Po Chu and Moochu confluence or kayaking at Wang Chhu; a trek to the Taktsang Palphug Monastery (Tiger’s Nest Monastery); bird watching to witness over 600 species of rare birds.

To reassure and support customers, all Thomas Cook and SOTC’s charters to Bhutan will be accompanied by the Companies’ expert tour managers from Bengaluru.

Tour Highlights:

· Charter departures: April and May 2024

· Duration of tour: 8 days

· Destinations included: Thimpu, Punakha and Paro

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Innovation is in our DNA, and the launch of our exclusive charters from Bengaluru is a smart strategy to leverage the growing interest towards the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. South India has contributed the largest share to Bhutan and is a significant and growing market that we intend to tap via the launch of our charter departures. To inspire customers from this high growth market, we have designed a unique portfolio of products that offer the best of Bhutan. Bengaluru was chosen due to its central location and ease in connectivity across key source markets of South India.

Bhutan is truly a hidden gem and perfectly in sync with India’s rapidly evolving new age customers. The beautiful country is a harmonious blend of unique history, culture, breath-taking natural beauty, architecture, adventure, gastronomy and more.”

Mr. Daniel D’souza President & Country Head - Holidays, SOTC Travel Limited said, “2024 marks the 75th anniversary of SOTC, and our announcement of charter departures to Bhutan is a first mover to capitalise on the uptick in demand. Our newly launched charter departures to Bhutan with Bengaluru as the gateway, offers our travellers from South India the benefits of ease and convenience with direct and exclusive flights to the destination.

Based on customer feedback, we have included experiences that are different from our traditional products.

We are working closely with Bhutan Tourism and key local partners and will continue to enrich our products to delight Indian customers.”