Thomas Cook and SOTC Launch Festive Tours for Dussehra, Durga Puja, and Diwali
As the trend of ‘festive tourism’ grows, Indian travellers are opting for longer vacations, extending from the traditional three days to six to fifteen days. Thomas Cook (India) Limited and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have introduced a variety of festive tours for Dussehra, Durga Puja, and Diwali.
Extended Trips and Spending Habits
According to Thomas Cook, there has been a 10-15% year-on-year increase in spending on travel. The younger generation is particularly keen on combining weekends with festival holidays for extended trips. Special tours have been crafted to cater to the varied interests of Indian travellers.
Durga Puja Tours
For Durga Puja, travellers can choose all-inclusive tours with fixed departures to popular destinations like Europe, France, Switzerland, Great Britain, Japan, Vietnam, and the USA. Domestic tours to the Andaman Islands, Kashmir, and Kerala are also available.
Diwali Tours
For Diwali, the focus shifts to destinations like Himachal Pradesh, the North East, and international spots like Bhutan, Bali, and select European locales. Personalised holidays offer travellers the flexibility to tailor their experiences.
Popular Destinations
Favourite domestic destinations include Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, the Andaman Islands, Kerala, Rajasthan, Goa, Karnataka, the North East, and Sri Lanka. International hotspots include Dubai, the Maldives, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia-New Zealand. Emerging destinations like Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia are also gaining popularity.
Family and Multi-Generational Travel
More families, including multiple generations, are now opting to celebrate festivals by travelling together. School holidays that coincide with major festivals have further encouraged this trend. Young professionals are also combining festive breaks with weekends for extended relaxation.
Pilgrimage Plus Tours
Recognising the importance of spirituality during festivals, Thomas Cook and SOTC have introduced ‘Pilgrimage Plus’ tours to destinations like Kashi, Ayodhya, Rameswaram, Tirupati, Amritsar, and Sri Lanka. These tours offer a blend of spiritual fulfilment and travel.
Regional and Luxury Travel
The companies are tapping into the potential of tier 2 and tier 3 cities in India, with regional departures from Karnataka, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. There is also a trend towards premium and affordable luxury travel, with destinations like France, Switzerland, and Scandinavia being particularly popular. Cruises across domestic waters, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East are gaining traction.
Exclusive Discounts
To stimulate demand, Thomas Cook and SOTC are offering exclusive discounts on their festive tours. This initiative is expected to attract a broad audience eager to celebrate festivals in a novel way.
Statements from Company Heads
Rajeev Kale, President and 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.’ He added, ‘Our specially curated festive tours are crafted to cater to this evolving trend, seamlessly blending cultural celebrations with immersive travel experiences.’
Daniel D’Souza, President and 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 traveller. Our new portfolio addresses the increasing demand from family/multi-generational and young India, ensuring a memorable festive season for all.’ He added, ‘Additionally, our SOTC Holiday Bazaars across key markets highlight offer customers easy access to book their holidays – right at their doorstep!’
Doubts Revealed
Thomas Cook -: Thomas Cook is a travel company that helps people plan and book their holidays. They offer various travel packages and services.
SOTC -: SOTC Travel is another travel company in India that provides holiday packages and travel services, similar to Thomas Cook.
Dussehra -: Dussehra is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. It marks the end of the nine-day festival of Navratri.
Durga Puja -: Durga Puja is a Hindu festival that celebrates the goddess Durga. It is especially popular in West Bengal and involves elaborate decorations and rituals.
Diwali -: Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of light over darkness. People light lamps, burst crackers, and exchange sweets.
festive tourism -: Festive tourism means traveling to different places to celebrate festivals. People go on vacations during festival times to enjoy and relax.
tier 2 and tier 3 cities -: Tier 2 and tier 3 cities are smaller cities in India. They are not as big as major cities like Mumbai or Delhi but are growing and developing.
Pilgrimage Plus tours -: Pilgrimage Plus tours are special travel packages that include visits to religious places along with other tourist attractions. It combines spiritual and leisure travel.