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
maximize 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 organized in select cities across East India.
The Companies’ Durga Pujo Holidays have been thoughtfully created to showcase favorite locales of their
Bengali clientele: Snighdo Sarath 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,
Swapna 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 arrive 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 cashback offers; assured gifts on booking.
To create awareness and accelerate demand for their Durga Pujo tours, Thomas Cook and SOTC has
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 behaviors & travel trends for the region:
Strong Travel Demand: 25% increase in demand Vs June/July. Interest for longer stays and appetite for
increased travel spending (by approx. 20%)
Preferred Destinations:
65% prefer International destinations; favorites 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 the unique history-culture-art of the destination; sampling local cuisine, cruises/
yachting; outdoor adventures like biking, hiking; water sports like diving, snorkeling, etc.
Key segments driving demand: Customers from East India enjoy traveling 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
For over 2 years, Bengalis are now looking forward to celebrating Durga Pujo by taking a holiday with family and
friends. To maximize the strong pent-up demand, we have launched an 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, cashback 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 families; millennials/young professionals, and couples to explore
domestic and international destinations around this festive season. To capitalize 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 to indulge in
their passion for travel while celebrating their favorite festival.”