Tag Archives: Thomas Cook India

Data from Thomas Cook (India), India’s leading omnichannel travel services company and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, reveals that the Indian appetite for experience-driven travel is witnessing significant growth. The exceptional solar activity (solar maximum) occurring once every 11-15 years offers an increased chance to view the Northern Lights and has heightened interest for Aurora Borealis experiences between September 2024 – April 2025. To maximise on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Thomas Cook and SOTC have designed a diverse range of Arctic tours, including top locales like Santa Claus Village – Rovaniemi, Saariselka-Lapland (Finland); Tromso, Kirkenes (Norway); Kiruna (Sweden) and Murmansk (Russia). Thomas Cook and SOTC’s Northern Lights tours offer awe-inspiring views of the Aurora Borealis on an exciting husky dog, reindeer and snowmobile safaris. Additionally, authentic local experiences have been woven into the programmes: ice-floating, king crab fishing safaris; engaging and dining with the local Sami people; snowmobiling, visit to a reindeer farm, husky sledding, sea kayaking, fissure snorkelling in the fjords and whale watching. The Companies’ have incorporated exceptional local accommodation options: from Artic tree house stays, snow lodges, glass igloos, bubble stays, ice hotels to lighthouses. In addition to a range of Northern Lights group tours (escorted by an experienced tour manager), Thomas Cook and SOTC’s experts have curated a delightful portfolio of personalised programmes – based on unique customer preferences/passions. Rajeev Kale, President, Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India), said, “With the 2024-2025 solar maximum season offering a rare chance of witnessing spectacular northern light displays, we have launched exciting and immersive Arctic Tours to drive demand. Immersive experiences that we’ve created include Aurora Borealis safaris, eclectic accommodation in igloos, glass hotels and Arctic tree houses/lodges; …

“Domestic cruises are gaining popularity among families, couples, millennials, and Gen Z, offering them an all-inclusive seacation. Young professionals are also combining public holidays with weekends for a domestic cruise holiday,” said Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, VISA, Thomas Cook (India).

Thomas Cook India & SOTC in its India Holiday Report 2023 highlighted a 70% surge in cruise holidays. Speaking on this, Daniel D’souza, President, SOTC Travel, said, “Cruise holidays offer an all-inclusive experience onboard a luxurious floating hotel.These include a wide range of services, from entertainment and exciting activities to diverse cuisines, wellness spas, shopping, and exploring new locales. We are witnessing strong growth in this segment from regional India’s tier II-III markets, besides metros and mini metros.”

To maximise on the opportunity of available space at attractive commercial considerations, Team SOTC moved into its new owned premises at Marathon Futurex building (13th floor) in Lower Parel. A special puja arranged on June 14th marked an auspicious beginning for Team SOTC. Vishal Suri, Managing Director, SOTC, said, “We have seamlessly shifted to our spacious new office premises and have hit the ground running as we leverage on India’s pent-up travel demand. The location is property owned by our Group and comes with significant advantages: a valuable cost savings for us and with easy access – to collaborate and interact with our common resource pool of product-contracting-operations at Thomas Cook India – in the same building!”

Don’t miss out on today’s Thomas Cook India webinar that will discuss ways in which the trade can help restart travel recovery. The company will highlight its latest initiative ‘TravShield’ as well as its ‘Travel Now Pay Later’ concept. All attendees will receive gift vouchers worth Rs 1,000 along with a Thomas Cook participation certificate. They will also be able to participate in a unique holiday bidding contest to win a trip for two pax for a 7-day holiday in Ladakh! What’s more – three agents who attend the entire session will stand a chance to win a 2-night stay with Sterling Holidays. Inviting the trade to attend this, Romil Pant, Senior Vice President – Holidays, Thomas Cook India, says, “We look forward to each one of you joining us on the occasion as we talk about ‘TravShield’ and ‘Travel Now Pay Later’ idea and assist the trade in re-inventing travel. We promise you a lot of interaction and fun during the webinar as we give all participants.” To participate, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call 9650196532, or register directly at https://event.webinarjam.com/register/264/wy0z2bk8

Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel surveyed over 4000 customers across India’s Tier I-III cities in a recent survey to identify emerging consumer behaviours and trends that will drive travel preferences in the COVID era. The survey revealed that as many as 66% respondents are willing to spend additional towards personal health & safety, while 19% cite uncertainty as a concern. Safety seems to be a key parameter for at least 70% respondents.

In a survey by Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel, 77% respondents continued to express strong preference for interaction with an expert for guidance/ reassurance – 27% opting to purchase holidays through retail outlets; 17% for home service; 33% preferred a contactless experience of a virtual store/video chat. On the other hand, 23% respondents opted for bookings via website/app. Over 4000 customers were surveyed across India’s Tier 1 – 3 cities to identify emerging consumer behaviours and trends that will drive travel preferences in the COVID era.

Urging the industry to plan for the future now, Madhavan Menon, CMD, Thomas Cook India, speaking at the company’s ‘Mission Tomorrow’ event, said, “Q4 2021 and all of 2022 are going to see a rush. I believe we are going to enter that phase where people are going to go into revenge mode. I can see domestic travel and international travel bouncing back. Please plan your trips!”

Thomas Cook India & SOTC Travel have announced a two-pronged strategy: ‘TravShield’ and ‘Holiday First and Pay When You Return’ to cover every aspect of physical and financial safety. While the former is a comprehensive safe travel commitment to safe guard customers, the latter provides customers the flexibility and benefits of paying only once they return from their holiday.

Speaking at The Art of Travel roadshow in Delhi, Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visas, Thomas Cook India, said, “Corporates have realised the importance of physical MICE events. MICE is an art and this art is going to be experienced by travelling. There is no alternative to a physical MICE event. It will bounce back heavily and we need to be prepared for it.”