Mumbai: Durga Pujo is a very special time for Bengalis. This upcoming Pujo season is witnessing significant pent up travel demand with missed holidays due to successive lockdowns, coupled with the positivity of accelerated vaccine drives and easing travel restrictions. To tap into the viable West Bengal market, India’s leading integrated travel services company, Thomas Cook India, and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have launched a special Durga Pujo holiday range. Exclusive offers like Book One Get One Free and Staycations Free have been included to help Bengalis celebrate the festive season with family and loved ones and take a well-deserved break – to rest, rejuvenate and discover exciting new destinations.
Thomas Cook India & SOTC’s Third Holiday Readiness Report (June 2021) reveals that over 69% of Indians are keen to resume travel in 2021. The data for West Bengal however highlights an even stronger travel desire: over 74% respondents are eager to travel this year, and of this, over 79% chose the festive Pujo season. With 52% opting for domestic and 48% for international holidays, 66% respondents from West Bengal prefer to travel with family/friends. In an endeavour to leverage this significant travel appetite, Thomas Cook India & SOTC’s Pujo specials are aimed at converting latent demand into bookings.
Special Benefits:
· Free Staycations with partners like Novotel, Sterling Resorts and more, on:
o Domestic holidays to Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Kerala, Andamans
o Durga Pujo air-inclusive tours to Switzerland, Russia, Egypt
· Book One Get One Free (Companion holidays free) on international holidays to Dubai & Maldives
· Holiday Now and Pay After Return – at no extra cost
Details & Inclusions:
Book any Domestic Holiday & get a Staycation Free!
With Airfare: Kashmir / Himachal 7 Days; Uttarakhand 6 Days
Includes: Airfare, accommodation with breakfast & dinner, select sightseeing tours & transfers
Unique experiences included: a romantic Shikara Ride on Dal Lake; lunch at an apple orchard in Manali; tour of Bhimtal, Naukuchiyatal & Sattal
Without Airfare: Kerala 6 Days; Ladakh 7 Days; Andamans 6 Days
Includes: Accommodation with breakfast & dinner, select sightseeing tours & transfers
Exciting experiences included: Kalari Payattu martial art show; adrenalin infused ATV ride at Nubra Sand Dunes; Sea Kart Ride at Port Blair
Book a Durga Pujo air-inclusive Holiday & get a Staycation Free!
Shundor Switzerland 6 Days; Jhalakmoy Russia 6 Days; Egypt 9 Days
Pujo Specials: Bengali Tour Manager, select Bengali cuisine* on tour, guaranteed departures
Includes: Airfare, visa, travel insurance, accommodation with breakfast & dinner, sightseeing, transfers
FREE: Quality Staycations at Novotel (Accor Group), Sterling Holidays & others on every domestic booking – stays to be completed by September 30, 2021
Buy One Get One Free – Get your Companion’s Holiday Free!
Dubai 5 Days; Maldives 5 Days
Includes: accommodation with breakfast, select sightseeing & transfers
Special value add-ons included: Upgrade stay options on 4 & 5 star hotels; Visit Dubai Frame (Dubai)
All Meals Included plus Your Child Stays Free (Maldives)
Option: Avail of the unbeatable Holiday First, Pay After You Return scheme
To ensure personal/physical, financial and mental safety and build consumer confidence in travel, Thomas Cook India & SOTC’s comprehensive TravShield – Travel Safety Commitment encompasses meticulous safety protocols in association with Apollo Clinics:
· Vaccinated Travel Advisors & Contactless Bookings
· Free Re-scheduling & Cancellation
· Covid Insurance Cover with 24/7 Doctor On Call
· Vaccinated / Covid negative fellow travellers
· Covid negative/ Vaccinated Drivers, Hotel Staff
· Sanitised Rooms & Vehicles
Mr. Rajeev Kale President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “The Durga Pujo festival has always brought on joy/positivity and is a key travel season for Bengalis. This year, with both pent up demand and easing of travel restrictions, we are seeing increasing travel desire for the Pujo season. And so, we have designed special domestic and international holidays at attractive price points and with unbeatable offers like Buy One Get One Free and Staycations Free. We have added special touches like a Bengali Tour Manager, Bengali cuisine* and guaranteed departures on our Pujo special air-inclusive tours. This is our gift to enable Bengalis celebrate their favourite festival with their loved ones – and indulge in their amazing passion for travel!”
Daniel D’souza, President & Country Head, Leisure, SOTC Travel said, “The festival of Durga Pujo offers the perfect holiday opportunity. We have observed a significant growth in demand amongst diverse travellers, especially families, millennials and couples seeking that much-needed break to explore domestic and international destinations around this festive season.”
“Our Pujo holidays come with our unique TravShield Travel Safety Commitment – with comprehensive safety protocols in partnership with Apollo Clinics to ensure you travel safe with us,” he added.
