Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel have rolled out their year-end holiday collection, targeting Indian travellers seeking more than just a standard New Year getaway. Announced on 30 October, the portfolio spans Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia, and domestic destinations, combining festive celebrations with immersive cultural and adventure experiences.
Product mix: group tours, customised trips, and charters
The collection includes ready-to-book, air-inclusive group tours as well as tailor-made itineraries. Travellers can opt for summer escapes in Australia and New Zealand, winter festivities in Europe, or cultural journeys across Asia. Highlights range from Sydney's iconic harbour fireworks to Europe's Christmas markets and temple visits in Japan.
For domestic travel, the companies are promoting premium island escapes in Lakshadweep, with new direct charter flights from Bengaluru improving access. Bhutan is also featured, with charter departures from Mumbai. These moves reflect a broader push to expand air connectivity to emerging leisure destinations, a trend also seen in recent Air India Express route expansions.
Spiritual and cruise segments
Spiritual tourism remains a key pillar, with pilgrimage itineraries covering the Char Dham circuit and Vaishno Devi. Cruise holidays add another dimension, with itineraries in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the Arctic, featuring onboard festivities and port excursions. This aligns with the broader industry shift toward experience-led festive travel noted in recent Agoda data.
Executive perspectives
Rajeev Kale, president and country head of holidays at Thomas Cook India, highlighted the growing appeal of combining New Year celebrations with destination experiences. S.D. Nandakumar, president and country head at SOTC Travel, said the new itineraries cater to a wide range of traveller interests, from families to millennials seeking unique celebrations.
The launch underscores the increasing demand for personalised, experience-led holidays among Indian travellers. By offering a mix of group tours, customised options, and niche segments like cruises and spiritual journeys, Thomas Cook India and SOTC are positioning themselves to capture year-end travel spend.
Industry observers note that the move comes as Indian outbound travel continues to recover and evolve, with travellers prioritising meaningful experiences over conventional sightseeing. The inclusion of charter flights to Lakshadweep and Bhutan also signals a strategic effort to tap into underserved domestic and regional markets.
For travel agents and tour operators, the expanded portfolio provides new selling opportunities, particularly for clients seeking immersive and festive travel. The companies' focus on both group and customised products allows agents to cater to diverse customer preferences, from budget-conscious groups to luxury seekers.
As the year-end season approaches, the competition for Indian travellers' holiday spend is intensifying. Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel's comprehensive offering, backed by established brand trust and distribution networks, positions them well to capture a significant share of the market.
