Thomas Cook India & SOTC Travel launch Monsoon Getaways

Indians are displaying continued appetite for travel post the peak summer season. With the monsoon season ushering in a cooler climate, Indians are keen to travel and this has resulted in a 15-20% increase in demand compared to last year - for monsoon travel. To capitalise on this increased demand, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have curated exciting monsoon getaways that include short driveable holidays, air-inclusive holidays, weekend & extended weekend getaways and multiple shorter trips/mini-cations of approx. 3-7 days starting at Rs. 7,099.00* for 4 days. 

Indians are quintessential value seekers and are showcasing interest in availing attractive off-season pricing. Thomas Cook & SOTC’s monsoon getaways offer low season discounts, together with special offers/complimentary add-on benefits to India’s millennials/working professionals, couples, group of friends and families.

Travelling in India during the monsoon creates a memorable experience for travellers with its cool climate, lush green landscapes and replenished water bodies.

The Companies’ Monsoon portfolio extends across popular locales like Kerala backwaters, Wayanad, Coorg, Munnar, Vagamon, Alleppey, Chikmagalur, Ooty, Kodaikanal, Manali, Shimla, Nainital, and Pondicherry. Also, Himalayan ranges and off-beat destinations like Dharamshala, Spiti Valley and the North-East; beach destinations like Goa and Andamans.

Travellers from Delhi-NCR are keen on short and drivable holidays to
Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Mcleodganj, Nainital, Mussoorie; travellers from
Maharashtra & Gujarat are visiting Rajmachi, Lohagad, Igatpuri, Lonavala,
Matheran, Mahableshwar and Panhala; and travellers from Karnataka/Tamil Nadu
are visiting Hampi, Gokarna, Coorg, Pondicherry, Kanyakumari.

Outdoor enthusiasts can opt for thrilling game drives at leading
national parks like Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Corbett or monsoon
hiking/trekking.  Adventure seekers are spoilt for choice with high
adrenaline experiences such as body surfing, waterfall rappelling/trekking in
Rishikesh and Lonavala; white water rafting in Ladakh, zip lining in Dawki,
kayaking in Kerala, etc. Leisurely biking trips among quaint hamlets, lush
meadows and tea/coffee plantations are also a top draw across India. This is an
ideal time for Kerala’s famed ayurveda treatments and a tour of the backwaters
and forests of Thekkady.

Additionally, short haul international destinations are witnessing high
demand during this season with increased interest for Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia,
Indonesia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi; island destinations like Maldives, Mauritius.
Strongly emerging on the radar are Vietnam, Cambodia and Japan; also Nepal,
Bhutan and Sri Lanka in the Indian subcontinent.

Cruises represent a unique value proposition for travellers
for monsoon travel: an all-inclusive holiday without the hassle of multiple
check-in/check-out and transfers. On the domestic
front, Thomas Cook & SOTC have emerged as top sellers of
India cruises (Cordelia), with over 8000 customers
booked from restart of travel. Popular cruises during the
monsoon include domestic sailing of Cordelia Cruise (Chennai - High seas -
Chennai) and Chennai to Sri Lanka; on the international front, Resorts World
Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises in Singapore.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head –
Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Monsoons in India have a special
attraction - an experience in itself to witness the rains across different
parts of the Country. Being a traditionally low season for travel, Monsoon is the
perfect time to embrace the great outdoors and experience slow travel at
discounted rates with special offers. Our Monsoon Getaways include a diversity
of offbeat experiences such as biking trips, trekking, hiking, and more for
customers across segments including millennials/working professionals, group of
friends, couples and families. We invite our customers to book their monsoon
getaway with us and have a memorable experience.”

Mr. Daniel D’souza, President & Country Head -
Holidays, SOTC Travel said, “Travelling in India
during the monsoon season creates an out of the world experience with beautiful
scenery and weather. It’s the perfect season for self-drive holidays, nature
trails and offbeat outdoor & adventure experiences like bike trips, hiking,
rafting, waterfall rappelling/trekking, and more. Our Monsoon Holidays are curated
for customers who want to experience India’s untapped beauty amidst the rains. Additionally,
value-options like special deals/discounts, complimentary transfers, dining or
spa-vouchers make Monsoon travel a truly attractive value proposition for
Indians.”