Tag: Mr. Daniel D’souza

Business World

Thomas Cook India & SOTC present the perfect opportunity to book a holiday in 2021

Mar 25, 2021 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #Leisure, #Mr. Daniel D’souza, #President & Country Head, #SOTC Travel, #Thomas Cook India

Mumbai: With the accelerated vaccine roll out and the re-opening of several destinations, Indians having missed out on travel last year are eager to holiday again. To cater to this pent up demand, Thomas Cook India Limited, India’s leading integrated travel services company, and its Group Company, SOTC Travel Ltd., announced the launch of a range of exclusive offers in association with GoAir: Full Holiday at Half the Price, Companion Holidays Free, up to 20% off on Flights; also free cancellation* available. The offers are valid on bookings received till April 9, 2021, for travel before September 30, 2021.

Included is an exciting array of domestic as well as international destinations and covers accommodation, meals, sightseeing and transfers. The companies have handpicked India’s favourites such as North East, Goa, Kerala, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Andaman, Uttarakhand and Ladakh. International destinations include a diverse selection, from Dubai, Maldives, Egypt, Russia to Turkey.

Special experiences have been incorporated into the products: a thrilling ATV ride at Nubra Valley, a picnic lunch at an apple orchard in Himachal, a shikara ride on Dal Lake, Sea Kart adventure in the Andamans, a fascinating martial art show – Kalaripayattu in Kerala, a complimentary family photo shoot in the North East, adrenalin infused dune-bashing/sand surfing in Dubai, adventure sports like snorkeling and kayaking in the Maldives, visit of the Great Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, papyrus fair, perfume factory/cotton shop in Egypt, a cruise on the mighty River Neva in Russia and a cable car trip to Pierre Loti Hill for spectacular views of the Golden Horn and Istanbul, etc.

To ensure health and safety of its customers, Thomas Cook India & SOTC have put together a holistic three pronged customer confidence-building program in the form of Assured-Insured-Secured that covers every aspect of physical safety as well as mental and financial security to give the customer complete peace of mind. The companies have launched several meaningful initiatives: The Assured Safe Travel Program and Doctor on Call 24×7 service in partnership with Apollo Clinics; India’s first Safe Holiday Helpline, a free service offering expert guidance & assistance for safe holiday planning, visa assistance, country specific updates, on-ground health and safety measures, health certification, etc. and seamless COVID-negative certification services via a tie up with ICMR accredited labs.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Indians are actively seeking holidays and this growing demand is indeed a positive sign of revival. Hence, in an initiative to inspire, we have introduced very attractive offers – timed perfectly with this crucial booking window for the upcoming summer holiday season. Our exclusive deals in association with GoAir include Full Holiday at Half the Price and Buy 1 Get 1 Free Offer: Book your holiday and get your companion’s holiday free and up to 20% off on Flights.”

Mr. Daniel D’souza, President & Country Head, Leisure, SOTC Travel said, “As vaccines are rolled out, Indian travellers are increasingly optimistic of being able to take a vacation this year. Our great offers of Full Holiday at Half the Price, Buy 1 Get 1 Free Offer: Book your holiday and get your companion’s holiday free and up to 20% off on Flights, encourages Indian travellers to book a dream vacation – within their budget!”

News

Thomas Cook India & SOTC Travel observe growing demand for exclusive and immersive travel experiences

Jan 13, 2021 by Rekha Nair 0 Comments #Leisure, #MICE, #Mr. Daniel D’souza, #Mr. Rajeev Kale, #President & Country Head, #President & Country Head – Holidays, #SOTC Travel, #Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., #Visa

Mumbai: Thomas Cook India, India’s leading integrated travel services company and its Group company, SOTC Travel, have introduced exclusive luxury cruise holidays to the polar extremes of the Arctic and Antarctic. Targeted at India’s discerning travellers, the cruises have been designed to offer spectacular landscapes and unparalleled experiences to ensure a journey of a life time.

Travelling away from crowds – to destinations renowned for natural beauty while indulging in immersive experiences – has emerged as a key trend during the COVID-19 era. To tap into this growing demand, Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel have introduced cruise holidays to Arctic and Antarctica offering breath-taking natural vistas, majestic wildlife, awe-inspiring and relatively untouched terrain with a glimpse into the lives of local cultures living in extreme environments.

Each sailing offers a bucket list of un-matched experiences such as: crossing the Drake Passage and the Antarctic Convergence, a glimpse of the bustling penguin colonies in South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, a visit to the home of the majestic Polar Bear in Watkins Fjord, etc. On board the Thomas Cook India and SOTC Arctic and Antarctic cruise holidays, customers are offered a luxurious experience on the Ponant Cruise or the MV Sea Spirit: a range of delectable international cuisines, entertainment and live shows, sports and leisure activities, spas, scenic views from the comfort of their own private balcony, among others. In addition, customers can opt for exciting activities from kayaking, camping, hiking or polar region photography.

Antarctic Peninsula (14 Days)

  • 2 Nights stay at the Buenos Aires Marriott or similar
  • 1 Night at the Arakur Hotel in Ushuaia – the stunning gateway to the 7th Continent
  • 10 Nights on board the Luxury Expedition Ship: Sea Spirit
  • Stay in Deluxe Suites with Balcony. Exciting encounters with whales, penguins and other marine      wildlife using a fleet of Zodiac crafts
  • Free upgrade to Premium Suite on booking before January 31, 2021*

Arctic Cruise (17 Days)

  • 2 Nights stay at the Novotel Tour Eiffel, Paris or similar
  • 14 Nights on board the Ultra Luxury Ponant Cruise
  • Stay in Prestige Staterooms with Balcony
  • Experience the magnificent landscape of Greenland
  • Unlimited Alcoholic & Non Alcoholic Beverages on board the cruise
  • Visiting traditional villages and meeting the Inuit people, indulge in activities such as hiking, visit to the lava caves in Jan Mayen, etc.
  • Sail along the Prins Christian Sund, a narrow, 100-km long passage that winds its way through cliffs and glaciers
  • Flight from Paris – Longyearbeyn (Svalbard)
  • Flight from Kanergerlussuaq (Greenland) to Paris

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said, “The COVID lockdown period has resulted in an unprecedented surge in demand for bucket list destinations – away from crowds and combined with immersive experiences. Keeping this in mind, we are delighted to introduce luxury cruises to Arctic and Antarctica, targeted at India’s discerning HNI-UHNI segment. Given that sailing the majestic seas of the Arctic and Antarctic regions are available only for a few months each year, this exclusive product has been launched well in advance – to enable our customers avail of special early bird discounts to avail of a once in a lifetime holiday experience.”

Mr. Daniel D’souza, President & Country Head, Leisure, SOTC Travel said, “Luxury travel market offers a significant growth potential with Indian travellers increasingly looking for exclusive and indulgent experiences. To cater to this set of expectations and preferences from the rising wave of luxury consumers, SOTC has introduced unique cruise voyages across Antarctica, Arctic & Greenland curated for those who seek the thrill of unchartered landscapes and unexplored destinations. At an attractive pricing, our Arctic & Antarctica cruises offer exceptional experiences to delight India’s discerning luxury travellers.”

Assured Insured Secured

To ensure health and safety of customers, Thomas Cook India and SOTC have put together a holistic three pronged customer confidence-building program in the form of the Assured-Insured-Secured Program that covers every aspect of physical safety as well as mental and financial security to give the customer complete peace of mind. The companies have launched several meaningful initiatives: a Doctor on Call 24×7 service in partnership with Apollo Clinics; India’s first Safe Holiday Helpline, a free service offering expert guidance & assistance for safe holiday planning, visa assistance, country specific updates, on-ground health and safety measures, health certification, etc. and seamless COVID-negative certification services via our tie up with ICMR accredited labs.

News

Thomas Cook India & SOTC to capitalise on the long/extended weekend opportunity

Jan 9, 2021 by Rekha Nair 0 Comments #Leisure, #MICE, #Mr. Daniel D’souza, #Mr. Rajeev Kale, #President & Country Head, #President & Country Head – Holidays, #SOTC Travel, #Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., #Visa

Mumbai: Lockdown fatigue having created significant pent-up travel demand, with positive news on COVID vaccines, Indian consumers are looking to avail of 2021’s long weekends for short breaks/mini vacations. Further, given price surges and availability challenges of the Christmas-New Year high season, the weekends starting January 14-17 and January 23-26, 2021 offer attractive options that are easy on the wallet. To make the most of the long weekends in 2021, Thomas Cook India, India’s leading integrated travel services company and its Group company, SOTC Travel, have handpicked the best deals for long weekend getaways starting at Rs. 3 450.00*, across India, Dubai and Maldives.

According to the recent Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel – Second Holiday Readiness Report (December 2020), Indians are displaying a strong appetite for holidays – with 89% respondents indicating keen interest to resume travel. With approximately 15 long weekends this year, each weekend presents an opportunity for a well-deserved break with family and friends and to tick off destinations from their bucket lists.
From driving down to the nearest hill station or beach, or taking a flight to explore India’s unique history-culture, outdoors and adventure, a cruise or safari; eclectic accommodation such as a colonial bungalow, plantation villa (coffee/ tea estates), heritage palaces/havelis, long weekends offer travellers a welcome break from the mundane routine/ work life stress while delving into delightful new experiences.

On offer are trending destinations like Goa, Kashmir, Rajasthan, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Udaipur, Dubai and Maldives. Special offers during the stay include VIP darshan of Shrinath Ji in Udaipur (Nathdwara), upto Rs. 10 000.00 hotel credit across select properties, all meals with evening cocktail, snacks and daily sightseeing with on-board guide on Antara Cruise etc.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said, “We understand that customers were unable to take a holiday during December due to challenges of availability and high pricing. And so we want the New Year celebrations to continue with our extended weekend holidays in 2021. We have launched very attractive getaways to benefit Indians with special discounts and value adds across India, Dubai and Maldives. And all of this comes with our commitment to Health & Safety with our Assured Safe Travel Program to ensure complete peace of mind and a relaxing mini-vacation!”

Mr. Daniel D’souza, President & Country Head, Leisure, SOTC Travel said, “Based on customer demand and the strong success of our last holiday sale, to enable customers who missed out on the year end break, we have created special deals to make best use of the long weekends in January. With air inclusive packages and destination stays, we’ve packed in an exciting range of favourite locales – all at great value pricing and amazing offers to ensure long weekend holidays that are easy on the wallet. Our long weekend packages are inbuilt with our Assured-Insured- Secured Program to bring confidence to our customers.”

To ensure health and safety of customers, Thomas Cook India and SOTC have put together a holistic three pronged customer confidence-building program in the form of the Assured-Insured-Secured Program that covers every aspect of physical safety as well as mental and financial security to give the customer complete peace of mind. The companies have launched several meaningful initiatives: a Doctor on Call 24×7 service in partnership with Apollo Clinics; India’s first Safe Holiday Helpline, a free service offering expert guidance & assistance for safe holiday planning, visa assistance, country specific updates, on-ground health and safety measures, health certification, etc. and seamless COVID-negative certification services via our tie up with ICMR accredited labs.

Business World

Thomas Cook India & SOTC announce India’s first physical holiday roadshows since lockdown

Nov 7, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #ALL SAFE label, #Mr. Daniel D’souza, #Mr. Rajeev Kale, #Mr. Ramesh Daryanani, #Ms. Kerrie Hannaford, #Thomas Cook India

With the easing of restrictions, as Indians seek the freedom of travelling again, Thomas Cook India, India’s leading integrated travel services company and its Group Company, SOTC Travel Ltd., have announced the first physical holiday roadshows since lockdown – Thomas Cook India’s Freedom Month Celebrations and SOTC’s Freedom Month Carnival. The series of customer-centric roadshows, in association with Accor and Marriott hotels, will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2020, from 11 am to 5 pm across key source markets – Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Pune, Kochi, Jaipur and Baroda.

The Holiday Readiness Travel Report – Future of Travel post-COVID-19, has revealed that Indian consumers are in need of reassurance, expertise and human touch to help them plan their holidays, and more so during the COVID era: 58% prefer to book holidays at physical outlets/home service. Thomas Cook India’s Freedom Month Celebrations and SOTC’s Freedom Month Carnival have thus been designed to incorporate the reassurance of an in-person holiday booking experience within easy access, coupled with the hygiene-safety protocols of Accor and Marriott venues. Thomas Cook India and SOTC holiday experts will be present to guide and assist customers with important elements, including health and safety protocols, etc. – aimed at bringing back customer confidence in travelling during the COVID era.

With a range of domestic and international destinations on offer, customers can avail of special deals/discounts and attractively priced flight-inclusive holidays starting at Rs. 10 790.00* – with a free holiday to Dubai* to be won.

To ensure customer health and safety together with a personalised experience, an online pre-registration enables customers to book their preferred time slot. Click here to register for Thomas Cook India’s Freedom Month Celebrations and SOTC’s Freedom Month Carnival.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said, “To assist our customers to plan their perfect holiday and guide them through the new/updated travel protocols, we have simplified the booking process by bringing our Freedom Month Celebrations right to our customers’ doorstep! Held at Accor and Marriott hotels across India, we intended to provide Indians with a safe and smooth holiday booking experience and the assistance of our holiday experts, while availing of great offers.”

He added, “Our Assured Program in partnership with Apollo Clinics ensures meticulous health & safety protocols. To further assist our customers, we have tied up with ICMR accredited labs to offer end-to-end COVID-negative certification services with contactless facilitation – across India. Our Safe Holiday Helpline is yet another meaningful consumer initiative – a free service to support customers in safe holiday planning.”

Mr. Daniel D’souza, President and Country Head, Leisure, SOTC Travel said, “Travellers are looking for holidays that are safe and offer exceptional experiences, but planning their trip during COVID times is a daunting task. So at SOTC Travel, we’ve introduced our unique Freedom Month Carnival to support our customers with safe travel planning with our holidays experts and benefit from an exciting range of products and offers. The Accor and Marriott hotels further ensure our customers the assurance of high levels of hygiene and sanitation at each venue.”

Ms. Kerrie Hannaford, Vice President Commercial, Accor India & South Asia said, “The Freedom Month Carnival roadshow in association with Thomas Cook India & SOTC is a testimony that the industry is progressing and provides us with an opportunity to showcase our services to guests. It is heartening to see the event is being conducted in real locations and not virtually as is the current norm. The event will be a stepping stone to further boost the leisure segment and also provide an assurance to travellers about the safety standards being followed across hotels as per Accor’s ALL SAFE label. We are certain that this roadshow will be successful and prove to be beneficial for all the stakeholders.”

Mr. Ramesh Daryanani, Vice President, Global Sales – Asia Pacific, Marriott International commented, “As travel routes and borders open up, we are seeing customers slowly yet surely starting to travel again. We continue to reiterate our commitment to responsible travel, wellbeing and ensuring we follow the highest cleanliness protocols for our guests. We continue to evolve and enhance our hospitality experiences, initiating engagements through partnerships with leading and trusted travel institutions like Thomas Cook and SOTC, in order to provide our guests with more informed choices to work with, making travel not just safer, but better.”

*T&C apply

Business World

Thomas Cook India & SOTC leverage the festive season to catalyse travel demand Introduce Freedom Month

Nov 3, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #festive season, #Freedom Month, #Holiday Readiness Travel Report, #Mr. Daniel D’souza, #Mr. Rajeev Kale, #SOTC, #Thomas Cook India

With the onset of the festive season, India is already witnessing green shoots in consumer spending and this positive sentiment augurs well for the travel industry. Domestic travel is seeing a significant easing of travel restrictions and several destinations are re-opening their borders. The festive time hence serves as the perfect opportunity to escape the stress and hectic pace of work-life and indulge in the freedom of a well-deserved getaway – to relax and rejuvenate.

To give a fillip to demand, Thomas Cook India, India’s leading integrated travel services company and its Group company, SOTC Travel, have launched Freedom Month, inviting customers to avail of a host of special deals, value benefits and flight-inclusive holidays attractively priced starting at Rs. 10 790.00* – with a free holiday to Dubai* – every day! The Freedom Month offers are available across Thomas Cook India & SOTC’s websites, apps and outlets pan India, till November 30, 2020.

Thomas Cook India and SOTC’s Holiday Readiness Travel Report – Future of Travel post-COVID-19, revealed that the festive season is the Indian consumers’ top choice for travel in 2020: November (29%) and December (50%). With Indians displaying an increasing desire to get out/ break free from the stresses of the lockdown and extended work-from-home, the festive season offers much potential for a well-deserved break.

In an endeavour to inspire bookers, Thomas Cook India & SOTC’s Freedom Month hence comes with an array of attractively priced holidays and offers to favourite domestic destinations like Goa, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Himachal, Uttarakhand, etc.; also Dubai and Maldives.

A range of benefits includes flat 15% cashback on Thomas Cook India & SOTC Holiday Cards, zero-cost EMI, flat 5% cashback (up to Rs. 5 000.00 on ICICI Bank Cards*) and 30 free holidays to be won to Dubai with one lucky couple winning a Dubai holiday, every day! Thomas Cook India’s customers can also avail of extra loyalty points via Payback.

Thomas Cook & SOTC have also launched a special digital campaign that captures customer angst through the prolonged lockdown and their longing for freedom – to get back to the joys of travelling again. Featuring a range of exciting locales, the film invites customers to enjoy worry-free holidays with the companies’ Assured, Insured and Secured program.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said, “The festive season has always brought good cheer and India is already seeing green shoots in consumer spending across sectors. Given the growing demand to break free from the stresses of the lockdown and easing of travel restrictions, travel-hungry Indians are keen to leverage this season for a much-needed break.

Our Freedom Month is perfectly timed to bring customers an unbeatable price-value proposition and catalyse holiday demand via our special deals and additional savings on the Holiday Card, zero-cost EMI offers, extra loyalty points via Payback and the backing of our unique Assured, Insured and Secured program.”

“Our Assured Program in partnership with Apollo Clinics ensures meticulous health & safety protocols and to further assist our customers, we have tied up with ICMR accredited labs to offer end-to-end COVID-negative certification services with contactless facilitation – across India. Our Safe Holiday Helpline is yet another meaningful consumer initiative – a free service to support customers in safe holiday planning.”

Mr. Daniel D’Souza, President & Country Head, Leisure, SOTC Travel said, “Given the strong pent-up travel demand over the last few months, SOTC continues to simplify the travel experience, offering complete savings and benefits for the aspiring Indian traveller. The festive season in India has always been about family and loved ones, and so offers customers the perfect holiday opportunity to escape from the stresses of the lockdown.

In a focused plan to boost travel demand, SOTC’s strategically planned Freedom Month aims at catalysing demand. The attractive zero-cost EMI, big savings and big value offerings promise priceless experiences and a great opportunity for travellers to maximise on the discounts and offers available. Having always been a customer-centric travel company, our endeavour is not only to provide value-for-money but to create memories of a lifetime.”

Click here to book SOTC Travel’s Freedom Month Holidays

*T&C apply

Business World

Thomas Cook India & SOTC Introduce Attractive Air Inclusive Holidays – Partner with IndiGo to launch Crazy Deals IndiGo Special

Oct 30, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #IndiGo, #Mr. Daniel D’souza, #Mr. Rajeev Kale, #Mr. Sanjay Kumar, #SOTC, #Thomas Cook India

The upcoming festive season is a perfect opportunity to escape the pressures of lockdown. Travellers are yearning to holiday and explore new places and experiences. Eyeing the pent-up demand for travel, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., India’s leading integrated travel services company and its Group Company, SOTC Travel Ltd., have introduced Crazy Deals in partnership with IndiGo with a wide range of options and value add ons – at great pricing!

On offer are an array of top domestic destinations such as Goa, Udaipur, Jaipur, Kerala, Himachal, North East, Ranthambore, Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Chittorgarh, Andaman, among others, starting at an attractive price of Rs. 10 999.00* and international short-haul destinations such as Dubai and Maldives starting at Rs. 32 640.00* and Rs. 45 710.00* respectively.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said, “We always strive towards delighting customers by striking the perfect balance between affordability and experience. And for the upcoming festive season, to benefit Indians who are hungry to travel again, we have curated Crazy Deals in partnership with IndiGo. These great value air-inclusive holidays are so easy to book and go! With our attractive pricing and inclusions, we aim to catalyze demand across a wide segment of travellers from India’s metro, tier 2 and 3 cities as well.”

He added, “Our Assured Program in partnership with Apollo Clinics ensures meticulous health & safety protocols across every touch-point and to further assist our customers, we have tied up with ICMR accredited labs to offer seamless, contactless end-to-end COVID-negative certification services – across India. Our Safe Holiday Helpline is yet another meaningful consumer initiative – a free service to support customers in safe holiday planning.”

Click here for details on Thomas Cook India’s Dekho Apna Desh Crazy Deals (IndiGo Special), Dubai – Crazy Deals (IndiGo Special), Dubai Fully Loaded – Crazy Deals (IndiGo Special), Maldives – Crazy Deals (IndiGo Special)

Mr. Daniel D’souza, President & Country Head, Leisure, SOTC Travel said, “While Indian travellers are price-conscious, they also seek value in their holiday package. They long to spend some quality vacation time with their family and friends. Understanding this need of customers, SOTC has launched Crazy Deals in partnership with IndiGo. Travellers with pocket-friendly budgets can now avail the best deals that offer air-inclusive value-driven packages to domestic and international destinations. As customers recognise the value and peace of mind of booking with reputed brands, we have introduced a range of assured, insured & secured holidays in line with our Safe Travel program to suit customer requirements.”

He added, “As health and safety is a key concern, all our holidays come with ‘Assured’ – a comprehensive program to safe travel in the COVID-19 era in partnership with Apollo Clinics. To further assist our customers, we have launched India’s first Safe Holiday Helpline, a free service to the public – offering expert guidance & assistance for safe holiday planning, visa assistance, country-specific updates, on-ground health and safety measures, travel documentation, health certification, etc. and have also tied up with ICMR accredited labs to offer seamless end-to-end COVID-negative certification services with contactless facilitation – across India.”

Click here for details on SOTC Travel’s Crazy Deals (IndiGo Special)

*Per person on twin sharing basis

*Terms and conditions apply

Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Chief Strategy & Revenue Officer, IndiGo said, “We are pleased to partner with Thomas Cook India and SOTC to introduce air-inclusive holiday deals. We also introduced products like 6E double seat, multiple hotel partnerships and accelerated reward points on Ka-ching card in-line with consumer demand over the last few months. We have been consistently working towards stimulating customer demand, resulting in the 6.4Mn travellers placing their trust in IndiGo post lockdown, for a safe and hassle-free travel onboard our lean clean flying machines.”

Highlights:

Dubai – Crazy Deals (IndiGo Special)*

· Return Airfare on IndiGo

· 5 night’s accommodation with breakfast

· Return Airport Transfers (Dubai International Airport)

· Dubai Visa Charges Included

· 5% VAT Charges Included

· Travel Insurance

Dubai Fully Loaded – Crazy Deals (IndiGo Special)*

· Return Airfare on IndiGo

· 5 night’s accommodation with breakfast

· Return Airport Transfers (Dubai International Airport)

· Dubai Visa Charges Included

· 5% VAT Charges Included

· Travel Insurance

· Sightseeing and Attractions include Dubai City Tour on Seat In Coach Basis, Desert Safari with Barbeque Dinner and transfers, Dhow Cruise with Dinner, At the Top Burj Khalifa – 124th Floor along with entry ticket to Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

Maldives – Crazy Deals based on Arena Beach Resort (IndiGo Special)*

· Return Airfare on IndiGo

· 4 night’s accommodation in a Deluxe Sea View Room with breakfast, lunch and dinner

· Travel Insurance

Maldives – Crazy Deals based on Sheraton Full Moon Resort & Spa (IndiGo Special)*

· Return Airfare on IndiGo

· 4 night’s accommodation in a Deluxe Room with breakfast and dinner

· 1 Child (between 3 – 11 years) stays free on sharing basis with parents

· Travel Insurance

Goa – Crazy Deal (IndiGo Special)*

· Return Airfare on IndiGo

· 3 night’s accommodation with breakfast

Business World

Thomas Cook India & SOTC partner with India’s favourite storyteller Amar Chitra Katha

Sep 19, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Amar Chitra Katha, #Mr. Anant Pai’s, #Mr. Daniel D’souza, #Mr. Rajeev Kale, #Ms. Preeti Vyas, #SOTC, #Thomas Cook (India) Ltd.

Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., India’s leading integrated travel services company and its Group Company, SOTC Travel Ltd., have partnered with India’s favourite storyteller, Amar Chitra Katha, to
take travellers on an enchanting journey through time, re-living India’s vibrant history and culture with the launch of its Great Indian Journeys. Much loved historical characters have been hand-picked to act as a personal guide through each epic journey, including – Birbal (the witty/wise advisor of Mughal emperor, Akbar), Tenali Raman (poet and social thinker of the mighty Vijayanagar empire), Sudama (a childhood friend of Lord Krishna) and Chetak (Rana Pratap’s true warhorse and faithful companion).

The itineraries carefully curated by Thomas Cook India and SOTC’s holiday experts and creatively illustrated via graphic comic strips in the distinctive Amar Chitra Katha style, present India’s young explorers and parents with an engaging format to discover India’s rich heritage and iconic attractions – in a very special route to their roots.

The Great Indian Journeys welcomes travellers on a voyage of discovery via an easy-paced 4-5 day
itinerary through locales steeped in history – Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Udaipur, Mathura, Hampi, Delhi, Agra and more – that chronicle India’s golden ages. Each itinerary incorporates exclusive elements such as personalised storytelling sessions around favourite historical characters, spectacular sound & light shows, local culinary experiences, and more.*

In addition, customer benefits include:

1. Quality accommodation options with daily breakfast
2. Private transfers in AC vehicles
3. Affordable pricing starting at Rs.19 999.00*
4. Flexible cancellation options & a minimal booking deposit
5. Easy payment and EMI options
6. Meticulous health & safety under the Company’s Assured Program in partnership with Apollo Clinics
7. Additionally, COVID-negative certificate facilitation services are also available
8. A 3-month gift subscription to both – the Amar Chitra Katha and the Tinkle Comics Reading Apps worth Rs. 1 150.00

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said,
“Children have emerged as clear decision-makers when it comes to holidays! So, in a strategic initiative to engage with this powerful segment and bring alive India’s rich heritage, we are delighted to announce our partnership with Amar Chitra Katha to present Great Indian Journeys. Vibrant itineraries have been
designed by our holiday experts to showcase epic journeys with a child-friendly format of Amar Chitra Katha’s graphic comic strips.” He added, “Travel is a great storyteller and our Great Indian Journeys endeavour to bring India’s history to life with much-loved characters as personal guides/narrators. Starting at an attractive price of Rs. 19 999.00*, the selection of enchanting experiences across historical destinations like Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Udaipur, Mathura, etc. offer a delightful combination of fun and learning/discovery, while also ensuring a memorable family holiday.”

He added, “Our Assured Program in partnership with Apollo Clinics ensures meticulous health & safety
protocols across every touch-point and to further assist our customers, we have tied up with ICMR accredited labs to offer seamless end-to-end COVID-negative certification services with contactless facilitation – across India. Our Safe Holiday Helpline is yet another meaningful consumer initiative – a free service to support customers in safe holiday planning.”

Mr. Daniel D’souza, President and Country Head, Leisure, SOTC Travel said, “At SOTC Travel, we
continue to believe in bringing families closer and creating their best memories with us. India’s favourite
comics- Amar Chitra Katha plays an important role while growing up and has become an integral part in
shaping a million childhoods. The Great Indian Journeys gives our travellers an opportunity, to reconnect and relive their fondest childhood memories with their children and families, by visiting India’s most iconic historical places. These specially designed itineraries, in the form of creative graphic comic strips, bring to life a unique combination of edutainment devoted to Indian culture and history. Through the Great Indian Journeys, we continue to help create delightful holiday experiences for our customers.”

He added, “To ensure health and safety for travellers, we have associated with ICMR accredited labs across India to provide a first of its kind COVID-negative certification services. This, along with our Assured Program in partnership with Apollo Clinics, has been incorporated in every holiday proposition for a hasslefree journey for all our customers. To further assist our customers, we have launched India’s first Safe Holiday Helpline, a free service to the public – offering expert guidance & assistance for safe holiday planning, visa assistance, country-specific updates, on-ground health and safety measures, travel documentation, health certification, etc.”

Ms. Preeti Vyas, CEO and President, Amar Chitra Katha said, “As India’s favourite storytellers, our vision at Amar Chitra Katha has always been to inspire children and families through our vibrant stories about India’s glorious past and culture. The Great Indian Journeys by Thomas Cook India & SOTC, is an exciting collaboration which offers families a unique opportunity to directly experience and engage with India’s heritage through these specially-curated & memorable family holidays. Amar Chitra Katha has been telling stories for over 53 years and has always been a ‘route to your roots’.

She added, “As we firmly establish ourselves in the digital age, we are passionate about taking our founder Mr. Anant Pai’s legacy forward, by reaching out to our audiences via multiple platforms and experiences, including, films, apps, games and videos to tell India’s stories. Our association with SOTC-Thomas Cook is another powerful step in enabling Indian families to experience our stories real-time, not just in 2D or 3D but indeed in 5D, with emotions, feelings and a sense of awe. Through this new property – The Great Indian Journeys, travellers can be assured of the finest travel experience combined with an authentic and vibrant depiction of itineraries through storytelling; which is the hallmark of Amar Chitra Katha.”

Business World

Thomas Cook India & SOTC tap into the demand for offbeat/unique experiences Launch India’s Hidden Gems

Sep 1, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Leisure, #MICE, #Mr. Daniel D’souza, #Mr. Rajeev Kale, #President & Country Head – Holidays, #President and Country Head, #SOTC Travel, #Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., #Visa

Mumbai, September 1, 2020: The pent-up travel demand due to the lockdown has resulted in a new-found interest in Destination India. Consumers are moving away from crowds/traditional tourist spots while seeking to discover India’s untold stories and traveller secrets. And to tap into this demand for non-standard/unique journeys, Thomas Cook India, India’s leading integrated travel services company and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have introduced India’s Hidden Gems. Starting at an attractive price of Rs. 11 500.00*, the holidays include accommodation for 2 nights/3 days at 4-5 star hotels or delightful boutique properties, breakfast and additional dining experience, unique sightseeing, private transport and travel insurance.

Bringing to life nuggets of India’s fascinating history-heritage, spectacular scenic beauty and unparalleled travel experiences, Thomas Cook India and SOTC’s Hidden Gems incorporates a handpicked selection of Exquisite Locales: from Khajuraho, Rishikesh, Udaipur, Munnar, Jawai Sagar, Manali, Coorg, Kollam, Thekkady, Pachmarhi, Kabini, Bandhavgarh, Lalsot and Goa, amongst others.

Exceptional Experiences: An array of exciting traveller secrets have been woven into each journey,
including a jeep safari amidst the lush plantations of Kolukkumalai, Munnar – the highest tea estate in the Western Ghats, a royal 4-course dining experience set against an evening bonfire at the luxurious Amritara Pali Jawai Sagar, picturesque coffee & spice plantation tours in Coorg aboard a specially designed jeep, an exclusive, private, night drive and stargazing experience in a gipsy at Pachmarhi, a unique bush-dining experience in Bandhavgarh, a vintage car drive around Udaipur’s picturesque lake, mangrove walks in the Sundarbans biosphere or the heady adrenalin rush of bungee jumping in Rishikesh, etc.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said,
“Together with significant pent up travel demand, the lockdown has seen growing interest from Indians wanting to re-discover their own country, yet seeking non-standard experiences. And so, our teams have
conceptualised Hidden Gems – holidays that offer unparalleled experiences at exquisite locations across
India – at attractive prices starting at just Rs. 11 500.00*. Catering to a range of segments from families,
couples, solo travellers to adventure seekers and wildlife enthusiasts, our Hidden Gems offers a well-deserved break, coupled with exceptional experiences that rejuvenate: be it bush-dining in Bandhavgarh, mangrove walks amidst the stark beauty of the Sundarbans or the thrill of bungee jumping in Rishikesh, etc.”

He added, “Our Assured Program in partnership with Apollo Clinics ensures meticulous health & safety protocols across every touch-point and to further assist our customers, we have tied up with ICMR accredited labs to offer seamless end-to-end COVID-negative certification services with contactless facilitation – across India. Our Safe Holiday Helpline is yet another meaningful consumer initiative – a free service to support customers in safe holiday planning. With our zero cancellation, flexible rescheduling and our guaranteed refund promise, we want to ensure that all our customers travel smooth.”

Mr. Daniel D’souza, President and Country Head, Leisure, SOTC Travel said, “The choice of destination and the experiences offered inspires travel decisions across all age groups, especially among millennials.
From exploring the local cuisine to finding offbeat experiences at every destination, Indian travellers wish to explore the unknown. Given the current situation and in order to satisfy their desire for immersive experiences, SOTC has designed unique domestic experiences that highlight this trend of experiential travel. These include incorporating workshops, wellness experiences, culturally immersive activities, food and drink experiences, outdoor activities and more.”

He added, “As health and safety is a key concern, all our holidays come with ‘Assured’ – a comprehensive program to safe travel in the COVID-19 era in partnership with Apollo Clinics. To further assist our customers, we have launched India’s first Safe Holiday Helpline, a free service to the public – offering expert guidance & assistance for safe holiday planning, visa assistance, country-specific updates, on-ground health and safety measures, travel documentation, health certification, etc. and have also tied up with ICMR accredited labs to offer seamless end-to-end COVID-negative certification services with contactless facilitation – across India.”