Thomas Cook India & SOTC capitalize on strong pent up demand from Kolkata & East India

Mumbai, July 21, 2022: West Bengal and East India feature as key source markets for Thomas Cook India, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company and its Group Company, SOTC Travel. With easing of travel/health restrictions, the Companies’ data reveals a 25% surge in demand for Durga Pujo holidays. To maximise on this strong potential, Thomas Cook & SOTC have launched a special Durga Pujo Holiday Sale with exclusive tours and attractive offers available across its retail outlets, portals and at special consumer carnivals and bazaars organised in select cities across East India.

 

The Companies’ Durga Pujo Holidays have been thoughtfully created to showcase favourite locales of their Bengali clientele: Snighdo Sarathe Europe, Asadharan Italy, Uttom Spain, Wonders of Egypt, Singapore and Malaysia, Crazy Deal Thailand, Bali Delight, Andamaner Samudra Saikate, Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh, etc. In addition, as Bengalis are keen to discover offbeat destinations and unique experiences, Swapner Iceland forms an exciting inclusion to the Durga Pujo special offer.

 

In keeping with the exclusivity, customers get to enjoy special Bengali cuisine along with mithai/sandesh on select tours. To ensure added reassurance, the Durga Pujo group tours are accompanied by experienced Bengali speaking tour managers, who guide/assist customers throughout the tour – from departure in Kolkata to arrival back in Kolkata.

 

The Companies also offer air-inclusive tours with Vistara Getaways, Air Arabia Holidays and Emirates Holidays.

 

Durga Pujo Special Offers*: Thomas Cook India and SOTC have announced attractive deals like Buy One Get One – Companion Free across India & International holidays; Early Bird offers; Travel Now Pay When You Return at Zero processing fee; Cash discounts and cash back offers; assured gifts on booking.

 

To create awareness and accelerate demand for their Durga Pujo tours, Thomas Cook and SOTC have launched a marketing campaign across key English and Regional print publications, digital platforms and via branding in Kolkata’s Metro trains. The Companies have organized engaging Holiday Carnivals/Bazaars at key consumer catchments, including Kolkata, Patna, Bhubaneswar and Guwahati.

 

Travel Trends – West Bengal & East India

Thomas Cook India and SOTC reveal insightful consumer behaviours & travel trends for the region:

 

Strong Travel Demand: 25% increase in demand Vs June/July. Interest for longer stays and appetite for increased travel spends (by approx. 20%)

 

Preferred Destinations:

• 65% prefer International destinations; favourites include: Europe (Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain and Germany) Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt and Iceland; also Australia
• 35% prefer Domestic holidays – Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh, Himachal, Kerala, Andamans, Rajasthan

 

Top Experiences: exploring unique history-culture-art of the destination; sampling local cuisine, cruises/ yachting; outdoor adventure like biking, hiking; water sports like diving, snorkeling, etc.

 

Key segments driving demand: Customers from East India enjoy travelling with immediate/ multi-generational family (50%); millennials/group of friends-colleagues (25%); couples/DINKs (20%); solo (5%)

 

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “West Bengal and East India are key source markets and our data reveals that after a gap of over 2 years, Bengalis are now looking forward to celebrate Durga Pujo by taking a holiday with family and friends. To maximize on the strong pent up demand, we have launched exclusive Durga Pujo Holiday products and special Carnivals in key cities like Kolkata.

To accelerate demand, we have launched our Durga Pujo Holiday Sale – with exclusive offers like Buy One Get One Free – Companion offer across select Indian and international destinations, cash back offers and cash discounts, early bird specials and many more. Our Holiday experts welcome our Bengali customers to walk into our outlet closest to them, to book a truly memorable Durga Pujo Holiday!”

 

Mr. Daniel D’souza President & Country Head – Holidays, SOTC Travel said, “The Durga Pujo festivities bring in a key travel season for Bengalis. This year, we are seeing increasing travel desire from various segments including family/ multi-generational family; millennials/young professionals and couples to explore domestic and international destinations around this festive season. To capitalise on this demand, we have designed special domestic and international holidays at attractive price points. We have added special touches like a Bengali speaking Tour Manager, Bengali cuisine on select tours and guaranteed departures from Kolkata on our Pujo special tours. This is our gift to our Bengali customers – enabling them indulge in their passion for travel while celebrating their favourite festival.”