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Business Standard
06-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
SOTC Travel targets double-digit growth for FY26, to focus on expansion
SOTC Travel is targeting double-digit growth for the current financial year ending March, with a strong focus on expansion across regional India, the company's Managing Director & CEO Vishal Suri said. In an interview to PTI, he shared the company's vision for expansion and travel trends, including a strong rise in pilgrimage tourism with the onset of the Shravan season, particularly for the 12 Jyotirlingas. "We are targeting healthy double-digit growth for FY25-26. Regional India is a key focus area for us. We are not only widening our reach across the country but also deepening our presence in existing markets, based on the need and potential we see," Suri told PTI. He observed that the company's expansion strategy is both broad and focused, enabling it to tap into emerging travel demand across demographics and geographies. "We are committed to strengthening our omnichannel strategy with focused expansion across both digital and physical touchpoints. We're actively investing in strategic partnerships, tech integrations, and service enhancements to enhance customer engagement in these high-growth markets," Suri said. The SOTC Travel MD & CEO also shared insights on the travel preferences of Indians. "At SOTC, we've observed a strong rise in pilgrimage tourism with the onset of the Shravan season, particularly to the 12 Jyotirlingas across IndiaCruises and seacations, both domestic and international (Singapore, Malaysia, Middle East) -- are performing well, especially among couples, millennials, and young professionals capitalizing on long weekends," Suri stated. Another notable trend is the surge in wellness tourism, he pointed out, adding that destinations like Kerala, Goa, Gokarna, and Rishikesh are witnessing demand for certified retreats offering rejuvenation, yoga, Ayurveda, and holistic healing experiences. SOTC Travel Limited is a step-down subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Group; held through its Indian listed subsidiary Thomas Cook (India) Limited. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Business Standard
06-07-2025
- Business Standard
Millennials, GenZs turn monsoon into travel season with value trips
Monsoon, traditionally considered an off-season for travelling, is witnessing an increased demand from GenZs and Millennials flocking to explore adventure and scenic beauty, leveraging the advantage of low pricing and fewer crowds, according to industry experts. "Being a traditionally low season for travel, Monsoon is the perfect time to embrace the great outdoors and experience travel at discounted rates with special offers from backwaters to wildlife safaris, biking trails, spiritual circuits to Ayurveda retreats," Thomas Cook (India) President and Country Head - Holidays, MICE, Visa, Rajeev Kale said in a statement. Monsoon holidays offer something for every traveller across segments of families, millennials, working professionals, groups of friends, couples and 'frolleagues', he said. According to Thomas Cook (India) data, monsoon holidays are gaining strong interest from young India's GenZ and Millennials, working professionals, couples, multigenerational families, a rising segment - 'frolleagues' (colleagues who double as friends). "The monsoon season is opening up exciting opportunities for travellers to experience India at its lush and vibrant best. We're also seeing a shift beyond metros, with growing demand from tier II and III cities. "Micro-breaks, mini-cations and weekend getaways are becoming the new norm, as travellers seek shorter, more frequent holidays," SOTC Travel president and country head - Holidays and Corporate Tours, S D Nandakumar said. According to PeekABoo, Cleartrip's exclusive travel trend tracker, monsoon travel bookings has surged by 46 per cent this year with tier I cities leading the charge, contributing a massive 78 per cent of all travellers. "Mostly 24-30-year-olds, escaping the grind with short 3-day getaways, or as they call it, a 70-hour monsoon break instead of a 70-hour work week," according to PeekABoo data. Even with soaring demand, hotel rates are holding steady (just 3 per cent higher), and airfares are up 13 per cent, making travel still accessible, it added. Most travellers prefer short hotel stays (2 nights), while flight bookings show longer getaways averaging 7 days, it stated. Also, spontaneity is in (last-minute bookings up 14 per cent), so is early planning (up 10 per cent), the data added. ixigo Group Co-CEO Rajnish Kumar also said the monsoon season is seeing an unexpected surge in demand this year. "Several factors, including unrest in destinations like Kashmir and broader geopolitical concerns, prompted a section of travellers to postpone their summer holiday plans. However, this pent-up demand is now spilling over into the monsoon, with flight bookings rising by 25-30 per cent YoY to emerging destinations like Port Blair, Tirupati, Udaipur, Coimbatore, and Dehradun," he said. Attractive monsoon sales by airlines and hotels are further fuelling this trend, offering value-driven deals and encouraging travellers to explore off-season getaways, he added.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Time of India
Monsoon travel surges among Gen Z, Millennials as off-season tourism gains momentum
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Monsoon, traditionally considered an off-season for travelling, is witnessing an increased demand from GenZs and Millennials flocking to explore adventure and scenic beauty, leveraging the advantage of low pricing and fewer crowds, according to industry experts."Being a traditionally low season for travel, Monsoon is the perfect time to embrace the great outdoors and experience travel at discounted rates with special offers from backwaters to wildlife safaris, biking trails, spiritual circuits to Ayurveda retreats," Thomas Cook (India) President and Country Head - Holidays, MICE, Visa, Rajeev Kale said in a holidays offer something for every traveller across segments of families, millennials, working professionals, groups of friends, couples and 'frolleagues', he to Thomas Cook (India) data, monsoon holidays are gaining strong interest from young India's GenZ and Millennials, working professionals, couples, multigenerational families, a rising segment - 'frolleagues' (colleagues who double as friends)."The monsoon season is opening up exciting opportunities for travellers to experience India at its lush and vibrant best. We're also seeing a shift beyond metros, with growing demand from tier II and III cities."Micro-breaks, mini-cations and weekend getaways are becoming the new norm, as travellers seek shorter, more frequent holidays," SOTC Travel president and country head - Holidays and Corporate Tours, S D Nandakumar said. Monsoon travel is picking up pace: Cleartrip's PeekABoo reveals a 46 per cent surge in bookingsAs per PeekABoo, Cleartrip's exclusive travel trend tracker, monsoon travel bookings has surged by 46 per cent this year with tier I cities leading the charge, contributing a massive 78 per cent of all travellers."Mostly 24-30-year-olds, escaping the grind with short 3-day getaways, or as they call it, a 70-hour monsoon break instead of a 70-hour work week," according to PeekABoo with soaring demand, hotel rates are holding steady (just 3 per cent higher), and airfares are up 13 per cent, making travel still accessible, it travellers prefer short hotel stays (2 nights), while flight bookings show longer getaways averaging 7 days, it spontaneity is in (last-minute bookings up 14 per cent), so is early planning (up 10 per cent), the data Group Co-CEO Rajnish Kumar also said the monsoon season is seeing an unexpected surge in demand this year."Several factors, including unrest in destinations like Kashmir and broader geopolitical concerns, prompted a section of travellers to postpone their summer holiday plans. However, this pent-up demand is now spilling over into the monsoon, with flight bookings rising by 25-30 per cent YoY to emerging destinations like Port Blair, Tirupati, Udaipur, Coimbatore, and Dehradun," he monsoon sales by airlines and hotels are further fuelling this trend, offering value-driven deals and encouraging travellers to explore off-season getaways, he added.
Business Upturn
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Thomas Cook and SOTC launch ‘TravSure' to offer safer travel experience
By Aman Shukla Published on July 2, 2025, 12:39 IST In a move to boost traveller confidence amid global uncertainties, Thomas Cook (India) Limited and its group company SOTC Travel have introduced 'TravSure'—a first-of-its-kind safe travel program designed to provide peace of mind and protection during unforeseen disruptions. TravSure aims to offer travellers comprehensive assistance and financial security, especially in emergency situations that often lead to cancellations, delays, and other unexpected challenges. Whether it's war-like scenarios, political unrest, or sudden airspace closures, the program ensures customers are not left stranded or burdened with additional expenses. Unlike traditional travel insurance which typically excludes force majeure events, TravSure stands out by covering a wider range of disruptions. It supports international group tour travellers with services like free rescheduling, refunds for unused bookings, and emergency hotel stays. Travellers can also benefit from a coverage of up to USD 1500 per person for unexpected air and land costs. A major highlight of the program is round-the-clock assistance, with a dedicated representative available 24/7 to handle any changes or emergencies. With TravSure, Thomas Cook and SOTC reinforce their commitment to customer safety and convenience, ensuring that travel remains a confident and worry-free experience. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Indians' Vacation Compass Points to Short-haul Locales
Short-haul destinations such as Thailand , Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Nepal continue to see steady demand from Indian travellers even as long-haul travel has slowed amid geopolitical tensions, travel companies said. 'While travellers have considered delaying or postponing plans, Southeast Asia has emerged as a go-to destination for those seeking familiar experiences,' said Manjari Singhal, chief growth and business officer at Cleartrip. The booking platform has seen a 50% year-on-year rise in bookings to countries like Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines this summer season compared to last year. 'Additionally, airfares to Vietnam and Indonesia have dropped, making these destinations more accessible for budget-conscious holidaymakers,' she added. And the spike in demand is continuing even after the end of summer vacation. 'Our pipeline post reopening of schools shows continued momentum from the young professionals segment, especially for weekends and extended weekends,' said Neeraj Singh Dev, executive vice president and head, ecommerce, and domestic and short haul holidays, at Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel. The benefit of visa free or easy visa entry has only served to fuel demand from late booker segments for Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mauritius, and Seychelles, he said. Affordable flight fares and steep discounts on accommodation are adding to the attraction in many destinations. 'Flight fares were reasonably priced, there was no hassle of visa appointments and we got great discounts on some very luxurious hotels (in Bangkok and Koh Samui),' said Shivansh Kalra, a Delhi resident, who booked a holiday to Thailand this month. Countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore continue to be popular among Indian travellers, thanks to their strong tourism infrastructure, cultural appeal, and ease of connectivity, according to Bharat Malik, senior VP, flights and hotel business, at Yatra Online. 'These destinations have remained stable and unaffected by the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, making them a preferred choice at this time,' he said. Temporary airspace restrictions in West Asia amid the Israel-Iran conflict impacted long-haul routes to Europe and the West, with rerouting causing 2-4-hour increase in flight durations and 15-20% rise in airfares on certain routes, Malik noted. 'This naturally shifted traveller interest towards more cost-effective and shorter routes,' he added. Bookings from India remain steady at Kuda Villingili Resort in Maldives, its commercial director Amjad Thaufeeg said. 'Maldives is still one of the top choices for Indian guests looking for a quick luxurious getaway and we have seen that demand stay consistent, especially from couples and families,' he said. 'We are also seeing advance bookings for the upcoming festive seasons.'
