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Tag: Thomas Cook India

  • Thomas Cook India inspires travellers to join the Yoga Revolution

    Thomas Cook India inspires travellers to join the Yoga Revolution

    Mumbai, June 21, 2019: Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., India’s leading integrated travel and related financial services company, is championing the spirit of Yoga with the introduction of “Travolution”, on the occasion of International Yoga Day. Giving impetus to physical and mental well-being, its Travolution wellness packages, invite Indians to travel to find inner peace; yoga being an integral component. In support of the Government’s drive towards celebrating health and wellness, the company plans to revolutionize holidays into transformational travel via its unique yoga and wellness experiences.

    According to Thomas Cook India's internal data, the demand for wellness tourism has grown by over 20% YoY over the last 3 years, highlighting the new age traveller’s growing investment in self-care holidays. The touchstone of Thomas Cook India’s Travolution initiative is self-discovery and rejuvenation of the senses- by incorporating some of the most powerful yoga practices set against India’s pristine locales.

    The Company is hence encouraging India to dare to disconnect through detox travel! The domestic market offers strong potential with over 26% growth in demand from metro cities and a 15% from mini-metro and Tier 2 towns. The company’s Travolution products have been designed to appeal to a wide range of consumer segments including India’s Millennials/young working professionals, couples, Gen S/Seniors, B-Leisure and corporate MICE groups

    Thomas Cook India’s customized rejuvenation programmes come with a diverse selection of special yoga sessions, ayurveda treatment, art therapy. Some of the best yoga retreats across the country have been selected, including Isola Di Cocco in Poovar, beauty/ anti-aging therapy at The Lake Village, Kottayam, yoga and well-being programmes in Gokarna and naturopathy at Prakriti Shakti near Kochi among others. In addition, Thomas Cook India’s portfolio incorporates a plethora of spa sojourns at Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore, Udaipur, Delhi, Chennai, Varanasi, Vishakhapatnam, etc. Itineraries are inclusive of meals, accommodation, and transport with emphasis on yoga by trained experts, and a variety of wellness programmes such as ayurveda, meditation, spas, natural therapies, consultations and art therapy, coupled with a special satvik diet for a holistic and enriching experience.

    Thomas Cook India’s wellness packages also focus on India’s women travellers, who are seeking personalized experiences that incorporate meditation, yoga, conventional & infra-red sauna, hot tubs & hydrotherapy and luxurious spa treatments.

    Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., said, “Yoga offers immense tourism potential – a boon to the Travel & Tourism sector with cascading impact to the country’s GDP.
    Given the significant 20% YoY demand in wellness tourism that we have witnessed, and in keeping with the Government’s drive towards yoga and wellness, our aim is to encourage travellers to embark on a journey of rejuvenation via our Travolution initiative. With Yoga’s benefits being passed down to us from ancient Indian texts, Thomas Cook’s Travolution empowers customers to celebrate self-care with a hand-picked range of enriching yoga cum wellness offerings across India.”

  • Thomas Cook India releases its summer report 2019

    Thomas Cook India releases its summer report 2019

    MUMBAI: Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., India’s leading integrated travel and travel related financial services company, has observed a vibrant 22% growth this summer with emergence of significant trends. With holidays becoming a necessity, a key trend has been the rise of India’s spenders economy with cash rich-time poor Indians displaying increased appetite for bonding trips with their families.

    Spender’s Economy: Indian’s seeking family bonding experiences through travel

    India has grown into a spender’s economy and with travel being leveraged as a clear status symbol, holidays are on the rise. Thomas Cook India has witnessed a definitive growth of over 25% with today’s cash rich, but time poor generation opting for travel to bond with their families. Parent-Child bonding tours are in high demand resulting in a surge of Thomas Cook India’s Theme Park Holidays, outdoors-adventure, music and culture tourism; sports tourism being a significant driver.

    The resultant demand has seen growth in destinations like Singapore, Dubai-Abu Dhabi, France, Hong Kong, UK, Orlando (USA), New Zealand; also newer destinations like Seychelles.

    Rise of millennial travellers sees a shift towards experiential holidays

    India’s millennials have pushed the envelope in their demand for adventure travel and Thomas Cook India’s internal data reveals a surge of approx. 28% for experiences like white/black water rafting (New Zealand), scuba diving (Andamans/Malaysia), fissure snorkelling (Iceland); alpine treks/glacier climbs (Switzerland/ Germany/ Canada/Scandinavia); additionally, adrenalin highs of sky diving/bungee jumping/zorbing/abseiling (Australia-New Zealand and South Africa) are in demand for their brag worthiness.

    Offbeat destinations and exclusive experiences are growing in popularity and hence a rise in millennials demanding unique experiences like Vespa tours in Singapore or Segway rides in Spain, horseback trails and shark cage diving in South Africa, and more. In fact, most millennials prioritise experiences over luxury and economise on transport and accommodation (hostels/apartments over hotels, trains and self-drives over flights), and splurge on local and interest/passions based experiences.

    Work weary-vacation deprived Corporate India driving growth of travel getaways

    A report by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO)'s first periodic labour force survey (PLFS) reveals that Indians spend the longest hours at work as compared to their global peers. India’s work weary business travellers are increasingly opting for short travel breaks to relax and rejuvenate, leading to a strong 33% jump in such trips. Destinations in demand include Goa, Kerala, Andamans, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya (domestic); Mauritius, Maldives, Singapore, Thailand, Dubai-Abu Dhabi, Turkey, Indonesia (international).

    Micro–Breaks: An emerging trend

    Indian travellers are leap frogging the transition from a single long annual vacation to multiple short recurring holidays or micro-breaks. Covering a gamut of destinations, each spanning 3-7 days, travellers are availing such frequent micro–itineraries to fuel their travel goals and tick off their bucket-lists.

    The micro-break trend has also seen the rise in last minute travellers (up by 30%). Indian travellers are gravitating towards on–the–go travel planning and seizing every opportunity to set off on a mini-break. ‘Smart weekend’ destinations on the Indian travellers’ radar are Goa, Pondicherry, Coorg, Alleppey, Hampi, Udaipur, Manali, Nainital and Dharmshala among others; equally short-haul or visa friendly international destinations such as Singapore, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Malaysia, Thailand, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia, Maldives, Mauritius, Hong Kong-Macau.

    Experiential luxury travel on the rise

    Experiential luxury travel has also grown by 15-20% and has expanded to include exotic destinations like Iceland, Kenya, Tasmania, Korea and Japan and along with eclectic experiences. A classic vintage car drive along the French Riviera or Ferrari self-drives in Maranello, Italy, private wine tasting experiences in South Africa, a private yachting/speedboat experience on Italy’s Lake Como, breakfast in a hot air balloon/private island dining in Australia, volcano caving tours in Iceland, top-of-the-line spa experiences in Switzerland and an uber-luxe Michelin restaurant chase in Europe, were observed to be amongst some of the new experiences defining the Indian HNI-UHNI segment. Luxury backpacking also displayed a strong demand from India’s luxury travellers.

    Travel Loans

    India’s growing appetite for travel is witnessing a 50-60% growth in travel loans; loans no longer being perceived as a taboo for travel. Thomas Cook India’s data has further highlighted a surge, especially from young travellers between the age group of 25–35 years, who believe in instant gratification. Thomas Cook India’s data indicates an average transaction of 20-25 loans per month for an average loan of Rs. 1 lakh. Some of the factors driving the demand are diverse offerings, ease/convenience and children-centricity, novelty and unique experiences along with social media, discounts and easy visa/visa-on-arrival facilities.

    Travel wave shifts from India to Bharat

    Thomas Cook India’s data reiterates a strong shift in source markets to Bharat’s regional Tier 2 and 3 cities/towns. While metro/mini-metro cities (such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Chennai) continue to witness an increase in demand with 20% growth over last year, Tier 2 and 3 markets (Amritsar, Karnal, Guwahati, Ranchi, Aurangabad, Vishakapatnam, Hubli, Udaipur and Vijaywada) have showcased a high growth in demand upwards of 30%.

    Speaking about the strong growth in summer holiday bookings, Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., said, “While summer has always been a peak travel season, this year, we have noticed a significant growth in bookings of 22% as compared to the previous year. Amongst others, one of the key highlights of this season there has been a definitive increase in the range of traveller segments, each one unique and clear about what they seek from their holidays. Indians are no longer shying away from spending, with an increased demand observed for travel loans to fulfil their travel aspirations. A key highlight has been the shift from a saver’s economy to a spender’s economy with the rise in the number of vacations Indians take as a family each year. Combined with their willingness to explore unchartered territories, and a demand for immersive experiences, travel brands and services are being pushed to reinvent the wheel even during the peak season to capture consumer attention. This is a positive development not just for consumers, but the industry as a whole.”

    “To help our customers plan a perfect summer holiday, this year Thomas Cook India launched over 100 road shows across metros and mini metros showcasing handpicked product offerings catering to the distinct audience in every source market,” he added.

  • Thomas Cook targets senior citizens with new campaign

    Thomas Cook targets senior citizens with new campaign

    MUMBAI: While travel and tour companies are going all out to target the traditional family and youth segments, Thomas Cook’s internal research has revealed the emergence of a viable TG in India’s Gen S- senior citizens with plenty of free time and disposable income (often enough, topped up by their children) and are increasingly fit and raring to travel. The company has hence re-introduced an initiative, which is not only a great product and a great idea, but with a refreshing piece of communication as well.

    To highlight the new services targeted towards the older generation, the brand has partnered with L&K Saatchi and Saatchi for its campaigns. The commercials have been produced by Light Box films and will be aired in cinemas, on TV and digital mediums.

    Speaking about the campaign, Thomas Cook India Financial Services and Innovation marketing, service quality — group head and president Abraham Alapatt said, “Silver Breaks is yet another endeavor from Thomas Cook to continue its innovative and pioneering legacy in products and marketing. This is not only a great product, but a great service for those who really need the care and comfort while travelling alone or to unfamiliar places, especially at an age when everything becomes a challenge. With easy paced itineraries and an attractive value, we are encouraging people to travel the world, no matter what your age is.”

    Speaking about the TVC, Law & Kenneth Saatchi & Saatchi NCD Rahul Nangia said, “The film features real people in their real voices. Neither of them are actors or artists. The idea was to capture them minutes before they are about to leave for their first international trip. This is a moment when they are reflective about milestones in their life, before they embark on another milestone event.”

  • Thomas Cook targets senior citizens with new campaign

    Thomas Cook targets senior citizens with new campaign

    MUMBAI: While travel and tour companies are going all out to target the traditional family and youth segments, Thomas Cook’s internal research has revealed the emergence of a viable TG in India’s Gen S- senior citizens with plenty of free time and disposable income (often enough, topped up by their children) and are increasingly fit and raring to travel. The company has hence re-introduced an initiative, which is not only a great product and a great idea, but with a refreshing piece of communication as well.

    To highlight the new services targeted towards the older generation, the brand has partnered with L&K Saatchi and Saatchi for its campaigns. The commercials have been produced by Light Box films and will be aired in cinemas, on TV and digital mediums.

    Speaking about the campaign, Thomas Cook India Financial Services and Innovation marketing, service quality — group head and president Abraham Alapatt said, “Silver Breaks is yet another endeavor from Thomas Cook to continue its innovative and pioneering legacy in products and marketing. This is not only a great product, but a great service for those who really need the care and comfort while travelling alone or to unfamiliar places, especially at an age when everything becomes a challenge. With easy paced itineraries and an attractive value, we are encouraging people to travel the world, no matter what your age is.”

    Speaking about the TVC, Law & Kenneth Saatchi & Saatchi NCD Rahul Nangia said, “The film features real people in their real voices. Neither of them are actors or artists. The idea was to capture them minutes before they are about to leave for their first international trip. This is a moment when they are reflective about milestones in their life, before they embark on another milestone event.”

  • BIAL, Karnataka Tourism and Thomas Cook India to launch Brand ‘Kaapi Trail’

    BENGALURU: Taking a cue from the success of Scotland‘s ‘Scotch Trail‘, GVK‘s Bangalore International Airport (BIAL) in partnership with the Ministry of Karnataka and tour operator Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., announced the launch of ‘Kaapi Trail‘ (‘Kaapi‘ is the colloquial term for coffee) to attract tourism into South India and more specifically the places between Chikmaglur and Coorg in Karnataka.

    The Kaapi Trail is a voyage of discovery of South India via the ‘Journey of the Coffee bean‘. Three travel packages for the tourist covering Leisure, Heritage and Adventure Trails have been created.

    Thomas Cook India managing director Madhavan Menon said, “Kaapi Trail is different from ‘Incredible India.‘ South India has much to offer today‘s traveller who is hungry for unique and meaningful experiences. Thomas Cook will endeavour to implement ‘Kaapi Trail‘ in the travel brochure of every tour operator in the world.” he added.

    “We believe that Kaapi Trail will help increase the popularity of the region as a much sought after travel destination. It is an attempt to put the coffee growing regions of South India on the global map, exposing travelers from across the world, to the taste, culture, heritage and overall rich experience associate with coffee,” said Karnataka State Tourism additional chief secretary Arvind Jadhav.

    “We have so much to showcase to the world and make them aware of an entire new side of the region. It has been our intention to play a significant role in the economic development of the state by becoming a gateway to the South of India,” said BAIL managing director Sanjay Reddy.