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Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel launch ‘Monsoon Special holidays’
Representative Image Indian travellers continue to showcase a strong appetite for holidays, post the peak summer rush —fuelled by cooler weather, vibrant landscapes and significant value. Capitalising on this opportunity, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company, and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have launched their portfolio of Monsoon Holidays 2025 across India and the sub-continent. Monsoon, traditionally considered a low travel season, is gaining momentum due to its compelling value proposition. Travellers are leveraging off-season pricing, together with special deals/discounts from airlines and hotels and fewer crowds to explore India’s scenic beauty. This is reiterated by Thomas Cook India and SOTC’s India Holiday Report which reveals an uptick in travel sentiment: 85% of respondents plan to double/triple their holidays, from 2 trips a year to 4-6 holidays annually. The report also highlights the growing trend of smart holiday planning, with 47% of respondents plan to optimise long/extended weekends and public holidays for short breaks and multiple mini-cations, making monsoon the ideal season to travel. In addition, Thomas Cook India and SOTC have announced attractive Monsoon holiday offers, including discounted deals and special ‘Buy One Get One Free’ (BOGO) offers on select packages*, making Monsoon travel an attractive opportunity for Indian travellers. Key highlights for Monsoon Holidays: Diverse traveller segments: Monsoon holidays gaining strong interest from Young India’s Gen Z & millennials, working professionals, couples, multigenerational families, a rising segment—‘frolleagues’ (colleagues who double as friends) Adventure and outdoor travel: continues to drive demand especially among young travellers, with experiences such as hiking in Tawang, biking in Rishikesh, waterfall trekking, rafting, and zip lining in Dawki Nature-Based Stays & Experiences:travellers are increasingly choosing unique stays and immersive nature escapes like guided treks to Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand, Kas Pathar in Maharashtra, River kayaking and mangrove explorations in Sundarbans and Goa’s Chorao Island; stays in floating cottages and houseboats, eco-resorts with tree-top cabins and tree houses Regional and cultural festivals drawing interest: Snake Boat Races in Alleppey, Puri Rath Yatra in Odisha, Kandy Perahera festival in Sri Lanka, local festivals in Ladakh Wellness tourism is on the rise: travellers opting for traditional Ayurveda treatments and retreats in Kerala, along with yoga and wellness getaways in Rishikesh and Gokarna Spiritual and pilgrimage tourism: continued demand to key circuits like the 12 Jyotirlingas, Char dham, Rameswaram, Dwarka, Omkareshwar and Varanasi Romantic holidays during the monsoon are a growing trend among couples, especially to serene hill stations, beaches, and backwater retreats Mini-cations/Drive-cations and weekend getawaysremain top picks for short escapes: o From Mumbai/Pune: Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, Nashik o From Delhi NCR: Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Jaipur o From Bangalore/Hyderabad: Coorg, Wayanad, Ooty Top destinations: o Domestic: Ladakh, Kashmir, Spiti Valley, Goa, Kerala, Andamans, Coorg, Ooty, Mysore, Nilgiris, Cherrapunji, Mawsynram, Shillong, Rajasthan (Udaipur, Jaisalmer) o Indian Sub-continent: Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan Cruises are gaining popularity: as a hassle-free, all-inclusive monsoon option like Cordelia Cruises from Chennai to Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia Additionally, short haul international destinations are witnessing demand during this season with increased interest for Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and island destinations like Maldives and Mauritius. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., said: India’s monsoon is a magical season with lush, cooler climes and full of hidden gems. 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. We have also launched ‘Buy One Get One Free’ (BOGO) offers on select packages to enhance value for our customers. From backwaters to wildlife safaris, biking trails, spiritual circuits to Ayurveda retreats, our Monsoon Holidays offer something for every traveller across segments of families, millennials, working professionals, group of friends, couples and frolleagues.” S D Nandakumar, President & Country Head - Holidays & Corporate Tours - SOTC Travel, said: “The monsoon season is opening up exciting opportunities for travellers to experience India at its lush and vibrant best. From mist-covered hills to rain-kissed forests, we’ve designed experiences that capture the untapped beauty of the season. We’re also seeing a shift beyond metros, with growing demand from Tier 2 and 3 cities. Micro-breaks, mini-cations and weekend getaways are becoming the new norm, as travellers seek shorter, more frequent holidays. Our monsoon portfolio is designed to cater to these evolving preferences with curated itineraries, flexible options and great value.”
ABTA partners with the Royal Life Saving Society UK on ‘holiday water safety’
Representative Image ABTA is partnering with Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) to raise awareness on how to stay safe in and around the water on holiday, particularly in an environment which is new to customers and their families. With the summer holidays fast approaching and off the back of RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week (14-21 June), now is a good time to encourage people to think about their safety and confidence in the water before they go away. The water safety charity and ABTA have worked together to produce the Holiday Water Safety Toolkit, to help ABTA members share advice with their customers. With a number of reported accidental drownings of British people happening overseas this year, it is incredibly important that customers are aware of the potential hazards in the water and how to keep themselves safe. The advice in the Holiday Water Safety Toolkit is based on RLSS UK’s Water Safety Code and has specific advice for travellers to stay safe when they’re abroad and know what to do in an emergency. The advice encourages holidaymakers to: Be prepared by practising their skills before going away and packing brightly coloured swimwear Keep children within arm’s reach and supervise them at all times, even when a lifeguard is present Stick together when near the water Learn what to do if they get into trouble ABTA members can access the toolkit by visiting the Marketing Toolkit on the Member Zone at abta.com/marketingtoolkit. The toolkit includes social media graphics, pre-written social media posts and a blog. The toolkit can be used throughout the summer in members’ customer marketing channels. Graeme Buck, ABTA Director of Communications, said: “Having fun in the water is at the heart of so many people’s holidays but sadly each year some people do get into difficulty, with some losing their lives in the water. “Accidents are less likely if people have the right knowledge to enjoy water safely with friends and family. “This is why we are working with the RLSS UK so that our members can share the charity’s clear and concise advice to help customers and their families have fun in the water safely.” Charity Director at RLSS UK, Matt Croxall, said: “Holidays are the perfect time for families to enjoy the water together and with the summer holidays fast approaching, it’s an important time to think about water safety. The Water Safety Code is an easy way to start the conversation with your family to ensure a fun and safe holiday. This, along with our partnership with ABTA, will allow us to reach as many families as possible with the vital water safety advice in the toolkit ahead of their trips.”
Co-op Holidays announces partnership with G Adventures
Your Co-op Travel’s in-house tour operator Co-op Holidays just entered a partnership with small-group adventure travel firm G Adventures. Through this partnership, both parties seek to offer holidaymakers even more choice. This partnership will enable travellers to access a variety of G Adventures’ curated experience-led tours, immersing them in destinations with community-focused experiences that leave a lasting impression. Each tour group is made up of ten to 12 travellers, and this smaller group size enables holidaymakers to truly connect to the places and people they visit. Moving beyond conventional getaways, the tours are hosted by locally based Chief Experience Officers, with itineraries that include both free time and planned activities. When booking through Co-op Holidays, customers can secure their G Adventures tour with a deposit from just £259 per person, as well as tailor make their own experience by extending their trip once their tour ends with additional nights away. A force for good Co-op Holidays head Mark Mitchell explained that the partnership with G Adventures highlights the companies’ shared belief in doing things differently and making tourism a force for good. Mitchell said: “More and more of our customers are seeking holidays that go beyond ordinary experiences so they can feel connected to the locations they visit - and these tours offer exactly that. They reflect our commitment to meaningful travel and creating journeys that leave holidaymakers feeling inspired while giving them the chance to have a positive impact on local communities." G Adventures’ managing director Brian Young added that this tie-up is likewise based on the values of giving back, sustainable travel, and amazing experiences that change people’s lives every single day. Young said: “Like Co-op Holidays, we are not your normal tour operator; we are much more than that. We believe in people having the most amazing experiences while knowing they are making a positive impact on the planet and its people.” Exclusive departure dates on offer To kick off the partnership, Co-op Holidays is offering exclusive departure dates on certain tours for travellers who book online; these are available up to 90 days before departure. From the buzz of Bangkok to the peaks of the Andes, the tours showcase some of the world’s most captivating locations, with featured itineraries including West Coast Thailand: A coastal adventure through vibrant cities, tropical jungles, and island paradises. Vietnam & Cambodia: A cultural discovery through two of Southeast Asia’s most iconic countries. Japan: A journey into Japan’s rich traditions, serene temples, and futuristic cities. Amazon to Andes with Machu Picchu by train: An unforgettable South American expedition from the Amazon Rainforest to the Sacred Valley. New Zealand: A tour of Aotearoa’s most striking natural wonders, from its fjords to its geothermal marvels. For those who book a G Adventures tour via the Your Co-op Travel website, in branch, or over the phone, they’ll also benefit from the expertise of Co-op Holidays’ travel specialists, who are on hand to support every step of the planning process, while having peace of mind that their holidays are ATOL protected.
Virgin Atlantic Holidays partners with Atmosphere Core
Leave the UK rat-race behind as Virgin Atlantic Holidays & Atmosphere Maldives’ inspirational ‘paradise’ campaign launches in 34 stores nationwide to help make your castaway dreams a reality As part of a joint campaign to elevate the vast choices available for that once-in-a-lifetime Maldivian escape, Virgin Atlantic Holidays has joined forces with Atmosphere Core, the market leader in immersive all-inclusive vacations, to present a selection of in-store experiences that represent each of the groups’ private islands, sharing a taster for what awaits in the world’s top oceanic destination. From the 16th June to the 30th June, customers to Virgin Atlantic Holidays stores across the UK will be truly spoilt in the lap of heartfelt hospitality as Atmosphere Maldives introduces its three distinct brands and nine unique island escapes. This immersive journey takes customers through the refined elegance of THE OZEN COLLECTION Atmosphere’s premium collection of two private islands, the three 5-star Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts portfolio where a new experience awaits, finishing with the laid-back natural lifestyle that emanates from the four COLOURS OF OBLU resorts - complimented with the hotelier’s award-winning ELE|NA spa and wellness experience. Paul Truss is UK Head of Product at Virgin Atlantic Holidays, “When it comes to big ticket destinations like the Maldives, we know that many of our customers love to hear the advice of the experts. Whether it’s over water villas versus beach villas, or seaplane transfers versus boats, understanding the nuances of the Maldives can be key to making the right choice. “To assist guests when booking their Maldives escape, Virgin Atlantic Holidays is delighted to team up with Atmosphere to present examples of their guest experiences that are not to be missed. With the widest variety of resorts to suit every budget thanks to their unique Holiday Plan all-inclusive concept, our retail teams are ready to welcome guests and sharing in-depth information that will turn your good holiday into an unforgettable great one”. From Essex to Edinburgh, all 34 UK Virgin Atlantic Holidays stores will be sharing insights in what a true Maldives castaway escape could look like. With specialist knowledge of resort experiences, accommodation types and facts guests are yet to discover, the Virgin Atlantic Holidays’ teams are ready to take guests on a journey to share just why the Maldives stands out as the world’s number one most desirable destination. Commenting on the immersive in-store experience with Virgin Atlantic Holidays, Atmosphere Core’s Chief Commercial Officer Stéphane Laguette adds: "As the popularity of the Maldives continues to grow at pace with multigenerational appeal, at Atmosphere Core we have crafted our fully inclusive Holiday Plans to cater for all needs and budgets. With our three distinct brands, we have options available for every traveller ranging from entry level affordable luxury, to stunning mid-scale 5-star private islands, to premium class 5-star plus exclusive escapes”. Launched in 2013, the award-winning Atmosphere Core ‘Holiday Plan’ concept pioneered the all-inclusive holiday in the Maldives and has set the company in a league of its own. Holiday Plan packages include seaplane or speedboat connections, all food and beverages, excursions, spa treatment, non-motorised watersports, and daily schedules of activities from sunrise yoga to pool parties to marine biology classes.
Holiday Inn Express Kolkata New Town opens with 113 keys
IHG Hotels & Resorts, announces the opening of Holiday Inn Express Kolkata New Town, further expanding its footprint in India. Located in the buzzing New Town area of Rajarhat, known for its IT and business hubs, the hotel is designed to provide comfort and convenience for modern travellers. Holiday Inn Express is all about making travel smart and simple. With 113 stylish rooms, the new hotel promises a hassle-free stay packed with essential amenities, helping guests feel refreshed, recharged, and ready for the day ahead. Guests can enjoy the signature Express Start Breakfast, included in their stay, with options ranging from healthy to hearty. For those in a hurry, the Grab & Go breakfast is perfect for a quick bite. Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi keeps guests connected, and a 24-hour Fitness Centre ensures fitness routines aren’t skipped while travelling. Each room is thoughtfully designed with blackout curtains, cozy bedding, and a refreshing power shower for a great night’s sleep. Flexible workspaces, flat-screen TVs with content mirroring abilities, and plenty of USB ports make it easy for guests to work or relax as needed. Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said “We’re excited to bring Holiday Inn Express to Kolkata’s New Town. This opening highlight our commitment to providing smart, seamless stays for today’s travellers. Being in the heart of a thriving business hub, we’re confident the hotel will cater perfectly to the needs of both corporate and leisure visitors.” Ashish Jakhanwala, Chairman, Managing Director & CEO, of SAMHI Hotels Ltd., added “We are proud to announce the opening of our latest hotel in Kolkata, a testament to our commitment to growing our portfolio of high-quality hotels in key markets. Our investment in the HIEX brand is driven by our vision to build a platform of high-quality and highly relevant products to key markets across India. This hotel also marks our first hotel in the Eastern part of India and an established market like Kolkata.” The hotel is conveniently located near popular attractions like Eco Park and just a short drive from Kolkata’s bustling city centre, making it an ideal base for exploring the city. Holiday Inn Express is IHG’s largest and fastest-growing brand worldwide, with over 3,200 hotels open and 644 more on the way. Guests booking directly at ihg.com can also sign up for IHG One Rewards, offering exclusive perks and added value.
Agoda: long weekend holidays are driving APAC travel growth
Agoda's latest report details how a recent spate of long weekend holidays is fuelling travel within the Asia Pacific. Recent findings show a month on month surge of around 80 percent in searches for hotel bookings from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. These were in anticipation of long weekends caused by major holidays falling on a Friday or Monday. Where are Asians heading on those three-day weekends? Agoda said top destinations for long weekends include Japan, Thailand, China, South Korea, and Taiwan. The popularity of these regional destinations is proof of a growing appetite for short-haul escapes. At the same time, it presents a timely opportunity for hoteliers to capture demand and grow revenue through tailored offerings. Relevant recommendations To help hoteliers maximize this trend, Agoda recommends the following measures: Content marketing: Publish SEO-optimized guides like “Top Things to Do in Your City Over a Long Weekend.” Long weekend packages: Launch “Stay 4, Pay 3” offers or mini-break bundles via Agoda and loyalty partners. Upsell ancillary services: Add late check-out, breakfast, or attraction tickets to help guests get more from shorter stays. Tap into wellness tourism: Offer digital detox retreats, spa-and-stay packages, and immersive local experiences that align with Asia’s US$156.85 billion wellness tourism boom. As Agoda senior vice-president of supply Andrew Smith puts it: "The opportunity for hotels and airlines to secure bookings and incentivize travelers to extend their trips and add ancillary items to boost revenue over long weekends has never been greater." Smith added that hotels ought to ensure that they use the right data to target the hottest consumers from across the Asia Pacific region and ensure that their service offerings are tailored to their regional tastes. This would include catering for visitors with large families by ensuring they are able to access larger and joined rooms for family travel.
Fliggy releases travel insights for this year’s Dragon Boat Festival holiday
Alibaba Group’s online travel services platform Fliggy just released insights into travel trends for the 2025 Dragon Boat Festival holiday. This latest report reveals a sustained demand for high-quality travel experiences throughout the Chinese mainland, as well as the country’s special autonomous regions of Hong Kong and Macau. Data shows that bookings for customised domestic tours are up by over 50 percent year-on-year (YoY), while domestic hotel packages combining accommodation with entertainment and dining options grew by 20 percent. Likewise, travellers were spending more in the leadup to the holiday, with average expenses on tickets, camping experiences, and chartered tours rising by 8.8 percent compared to last year's holiday period. In for stays and cultural immersion This year, many travelers opted for visits to theme parks or resorts with family and friends. As a result, ticket sales for major attractions and theme parks on the first day of the holiday increased by 25 percent YoY, while comprehensive packages that included dining and entertainment experienced a remarkable 140 percent surge in bookings. With southern China entering its rainy season, the hot and humid weather led many travelers to enjoy hotel-based retreats. Properties enhanced their offerings with traditional festival activities, such as making zongzi (glutinous rice dumplings), handcrafting five-color bracelets, and creating aromatic sachets, attracting guests seeking cultural experiences. Among all accommodation types, luxury resorts and boutique homestays recorded particularly strong booking growth during the holiday period. This year saw the increased popularity of closer destinations During the three-day holiday, travelers favored short-distance road trips and nearby getaways. According to Fliggy data, domestic car rental bookings jumped by approximately 30 percent YoY, with flexible pickup and return options proving particularly popular. Top self-drive destinations included Urumqi, Chengdu, Sanya, Haikou, and Beijing. On the other hand, the most popular domestic destinations included Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Chongqing, Xi'an, and Wuhan. Meanwhile, emerging locations such as Beitun (Xinjiang), Jincheng (Shanxi), Qiongzhong (Hainan), Qingyuan (Guangdong), Wuwei (Gansu), Nujiang (Yunnan), Dezhou (Shandong), Fangchenggang (Guangxi), and Kaifeng (Henan) showed the fastest booking growth, alluring travelers with their unique cultural and natural attractions in less crowded environments. For outbound travel, the most sought-after destinations included Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, France, Indonesia, and the United States, with short-haul flights (under four hours) being particularly popular. Notably, countries such as Poland, Iceland, Finland, Bhutan, Uzbekistan, Laos, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tanzania, and Georgia experienced substantial growth in bookings, drawing travelers with their pleasant climates and distinctive cultural offerings.
Mahindra Group Appoints Asha Kharga as Chief Customer Officer at Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd.
The Mahindra Group announced the appointment of Asha Kharga, currently serving as the Chief Customer Officer of Mahindra Group, as Chief Customer Officer of Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd. (MHRIL), effective 1st July 2025. Mahindra Holidays creates wonderful memories for its members at our resorts. It is now poised to transform the overall customer experience, broaden its product offerings and embark on a journey of significant growth. Asha brings over 28 years of rich experience in transforming customer-centric brands into premium offerings across multiple industries. Asha has been recognized for her strategic acumen, creative excellence, and ability to harness consumer insights. Her leadership will be instrumental in spearheading MHRIL’s brand transformation, guest experience innovation, and marketing strategy as the company doubles its resort footprint and elevates its offerings to cater to the evolving needs of leisure travellers. Commenting on the development, Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO & MD, Mahindra Group, said: “Asha’s expertise will be key to leveraging the potential of Mahindra Holidays, as we seek to transform and significantly grow the business. Her strength in aligning brand vision with customer experiences will be valuable for the business. This move is consistent with the Group’s philosophy to place strong leaders in areas of meaningful value creation.” Manoj Bhat, MD & CEO, MHRIL, added: “We are delighted to welcome Asha to our leadership team. We have ambitious plans as we expand our resort footprint to 10,000 keys by 2030. Our focus is on premium offerings, and we wanted a seasoned leader with the expertise to align brand vision with exceptional experiences. Her appointment will accelerate building a business that meets the changing needs of leisure travellers”. Expressing her enthusiasm for the role, Asha Kharga said: “I’m eager to contribute to the next chapter by focusing on the emotional, experiential, and cultural aspects that define our hospitality offerings. As the business grows, our greatest differentiator will not just be our presence, but how we make people feel when they stay with us. I look forward to working together with the incredible team at MHRIL.”
12 tips from 4th edition of the ‘India Holiday Report’ by Thomas Cook & SOTC Travel
Representative Image Thomas Cook (India) Limited and its Group Company SOTC Travel, have released their India Holiday Report 2025 – a comprehensive study capturing the evolving aspirations and travel behaviour of Indian consumers. The survey conducted across digital platforms covering over 2500 respondents (a combination of past Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel customers, as well as non-customers) over a duration of one month, reflects a significant shift driven by rising disposable incomes and the growing aspirational value of travel, including experiential holidays. With 85% of Indians planning to increase their frequency of holidays and a significant number intending to boost budgets by up to 50%—the report paints a picture of a booming travel economy. Experiential and event-led travel such as polar/ icebreaker cruises, music concerts, global sporting events, wildlife safaris, gastronomy and vineyard trails, stargazing camps and phenomenon travel (Northern Lights, Cherry Blossom, Midnight Sun, etc.) are at the forefront of Indian travellers’ preferences. Phygital journeys, blending digital discovery with human touch-points, continue to influence and drive bookings. Additionally, travellers are showing a clear inclination towards longer holidays – both domestic and international. Today’s new-age Indian traveller is also keen on spiritual travel, hidden-gems and distinctive accommodation like igloos, treehouses, chalets-chateaux… Key findings include: 1)Key Holiday Drivers: Travel has now become a necessity – an essential part of the Indian lifestyle and is driven by factors like: Influence of Social media, OTT platforms and Movies: 60% respondents indicated that social media, OTT platforms and movies are increasingly shaping their travel decisions Simplified visa processes and easy access: 44% respondents are more likely to visit countries offering simplified visa processes like e-visa or visa-on-arrival options such as Thailand, Malaysia, UAE, Sri Lanka; while countries that issue long-term visas are also seeing uptick like the Australia, Japan, USA Enhanced connectivity: 43% Introduction of new routes and direct flights are significantly improving accessibility - fuelling travel demand not just from metros, but significantly from India’s rapidly growing Regional Tier 1 & 2 markets Indian consumers continue to remain value-seekers: 39% prefer to actively seek promotions, highlighting the strong influence of discounts/special offers on their purchasing decisions. Promotional campaigns & deals from tour operators and tourism boards are driving travel interest. At the same time, there is a clear shift towards trusted travel brands for premium holiday experiences, reflecting a focus on reliability Word of mouth still relevant: 30% of respondents reported that recommendations from friends, family and colleagues continue to impact their holiday decisions 2)Increased frequency of Holidays and Longer Stays: Holidays set to double/Triple: 85% of respondents plan to increase their holidays from 2 per year to 4-6 trips annually Smart planning fuels mini-cations: 47% of respondents intend to leverage long weekends/ public holidays for short getaways Equally, Strong shift towards longer trips with 54% respondents preferring longer holidays by extending for an additional 5-10 days, to create holidays of an average of 8-15 days 3)Strong Holiday Spend Intent: Approximately 84% of respondents plan to increase their travel spends by 20-50% in 2025, with over 18% intending to boost budgets by a significant 50% This mirrors a broader trend, where travellers are allocating more budgets to gastronomy, experiences and shopping - including premium outlets like McArthurGlen and Bicester Village 4) Evolving Travel Companion Preferences: Travelling together remains the preferred mode, with 90% opting for company. Multigenerational families (65%) lead the chart, followed by couples (60%) and a rising segment—‘frolleagues’ (colleagues who double as friends) at 28%; Solo at 10% Family bonding trips on the rise: There's been an increase in travel experiences focused on family connections, such as mother-daughter trips and sibling/cousin holidays Growing subsets, including solo female travellers, also in older age groups and empty nesters, reflecting diverse companion preferences across demographics 5)Experiential Travel Takes Centre Stage: Close to 75% respondents indicating strong interest for experience-led holidays Over 45% of respondents are prioritizing phenomenon-based travel (like Northern Lights – Norway, Murmansk; Japan-S Korea’s Cherry blossoms; Midnight sun –Iceland, Russia) - a pivot towards bucket list experiences Uptick in Safaris, self-drives, outdoor adventures (32%) Gastronomy (26%) reflecting - evolving palates and desire to experiment - with France, Spain, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea Event tourism—global music concerts, sporting events and festivals are also on the rise, aligning with a focus on entertainment-driven travel experiences (22%). Australia, Abu Dhabi, Thailand Spa-Wellness (19%) Relaxation & rejuvenation seeing demand – especially in destinations like Thailand, Bali, Kerala 6)Premium & Luxury Holidays on the Rise: Over 36% respondents are opting for premium experiences like transportation via super cars/bikes, luxury cruise holidays (Scandinavia, Mediterranean, USA), private island dining in Australia, upscale stays in boutique hotels, French chateaux/Swiss chalets, heritage properties in India, glacier landings in New Zealand 7)Destination Preferences: Internationally, Europe continues to top the list (50%) led by Switzerland, France, Austria, Germany; Eastern Europe’s Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia emerging well. Short-hauls like Southeast Asia follows with favourites like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore (46%); also Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Ras Al-Khaimah (37%); Japan & South Korea (35%) and Australia-New Zealand (26%); Island locales – Mauritius, Maldives, Bali, Sri Lanka (22%); South Africa & Kenya (12%) Central Asia’s Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan (32%) signal growing interest for unique short hauls with easy access and affordability Morocco, Iceland, Greenland (8%) emerging on the radar For travel in India and subcontinent: Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand (55%) remain top favourites; North East (25%); Bhutan (32%); Rajasthan & Kerala (21%). Island/beach escapes like Andaman & Lakshadweep (3%); are also gaining strong momentum; Goa (13%) 8)Increasing Demand for New Travel formats: Indians are increasingly opting for new and unique travel formats Cruises (45%), self-drives (35%) and scenic train journeys (20%) have entered the top three holiday travel formats apart from flights, as more travellers seek unique, curated, comfort-first experiences. Cruises across domestic and international for both ocean and river options, are emerging as popular choices This shift reflects the growing appeal of slow, immersive travel over rushed itineraries, including sustainable options like scenic train journeys in Switzerland 9)Booking Patterns: Travellers are increasingly using a blend of digital platforms for research, contact centers and retail outlets for bookings, making phygital journeys a key driver of conversions 58% prefer a mix of online convenience with offline guidance (phygital), 59% opt for in-person visits to tour agency or talking over the phone while 68% book online While digital adoption is growing, there remains a strong dependency on in-person visits to agencies, valued for the human touch, personalized guidance and expert recommendations 10)Travellers Equally Divided Across Travel Styles: The report reveals a near-equal distribution in travellers preferences for type of holidays 35% prefer partially guided tours, valuing a balance of structure and autonomy 33% respondents opted for fully packaged and guided tours, seeking a seamless, worry-free experience. Interestingly an equal number of respondents (32%) opted for entirely self-planned journeys 11) Sustainability focus: 37% of respondents are increasingly prioritizing sustainability and eco-conscious practices in their travel choices 12) Impact of AI & Tech on Travel Planning: The rise of AI and technology is transforming travel planning, with 35% of travellers using digital platforms for research, bookings and itinerary planning Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., said: "The Indian traveller story is no longer just about destinations—it’s a reflection of evolving lifestyles and rising aspirations. Our Holiday Report 2025 clearly signals the emergence of a bold, experience-first traveller mind-set. Indians are not only travelling more, but also increasing spends - choosing depth, discovery and emotion over traditional sightseeing tours. While multigenerational family segments continue to lead, we are seeing strong emergence of new travel subsets like frolleagues and solo travellers. Our Holiday Report 25 reflects a strong shift towards offbeat travel and emerging destinations like phenomenon travel - whether it's experiencing cherry blossoms in Japan/South Korea or witnessing the midnight sun in Scandinavia/Russia. At Thomas Cook, we’re excited to witness the rapid evolution of Indian travellers and are curating exciting holidays that reflect this experience-first outlook.” SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head - Holidays & Corporate Tours - SOTC Travel, said: “Our Holiday Report 2025 reflects evolving travel formats, with Indians moving away from rushed itineraries in favour of comfort-first, immersive experiences. Slow travel is seeing an uptick, with river and ocean cruises and sustainable rail journeys offering unique opportunities for exploration. Additionally, spiritual/pilgrimage tourism is on the rise – with our ‘darshans’ portfolio coupled with adventure tourism is gaining popularity – interestingly from young India’s millennials and GenZ. Booking behaviours have also shifted—while Indians are researching online, they continue to value expert guidance, making SOTC’s phygital approach a key driver of trust and convenience. At SOTC, we’re proud to offer experiences to suit every Indian traveller segment. With over 75 years of experience and a deep understanding of Indian travellers’ evolving needs, SOTC ensures that every journey is memorable and enriching.” The Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel’s India Holiday Report 2025 showcases the Companies’ commitment to understanding evolving traveller preferences and catering their offerings accordingly. While the 2025 findings delve deeper into emerging patterns, the consistent trend line from 2023 to 2025 is unmistakable: India is travelling more, spending more and wanting more from every holiday.
One in four holidaymakers put themselves at risk by travelling abroad without insurance: ABTA
Representative Image A quarter of people who went on a holiday abroad in the past 12 months did so without travel insurance, according to new figures1 released by ABTA – The Travel Association. And those most likely to forgo insurance are travellers aged 25-34, with two in five (41%) admitting that they went on at least one trip uninsured in the past year. With May half-term signalling the start of the peak holiday period, ABTA is warning holidaymakers of the potentially costly consequences of not taking out a travel insurance policy to cover their trips. Uninsured travellers who fall ill or hurt themselves while away are liable for substantial medical bills and repatriation costs, in extreme cases in the tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds. Data shows the average travel insurance claim stood at £1,724 in 20232. They will also have no chance of getting any money back if they need to cancel their trip before they go away, due to illness or redundancy, for example. For these reasons, ABTA is urging all travellers to make sure they take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy as soon as they book their trip, which covers the activities they plan to do and any pre-existing medical conditions. The main reason people gave for travelling uninsured was that they were prepared to take the risk (28%). They also said they didn’t take out a policy because they had a GHIC/EHIC3 (25%), they forgot to do so (17%) or they didn’t think that travel insurance is that important (16%). ABTA says while having a GHIC/EHIC card is important, it shouldn’t be seen as a replacement for travel insurance. While the card allows travellers to access medically necessary state healthcare, it won’t cover some of the more expensive medical bills, for example, being flown back home in an air ambulance, which costs upwards of £20,0004. Mark Tanzer, ABTA Chief Executive, said: “A dream holiday can quickly turn into a nightmare if you have an accident or are ill while away and don’t have travel insurance. “While the vast majority of holidays go ahead without a hitch, every year we hear of people who have an unexpected illness or injury and aren’t covered by insurance, with some even resorting to crowdfunding to cover the cost, which often runs into tens of thousands of pounds. “That’s why we always advise people to take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy as soon as they book their holiday, so they have peace of mind knowing they’re covered if they need it.” Sarah Taylor, Director of Consular and Crisis at the FCDO, said: "Every day, our consular teams see firsthand the distress and financial hardship caused when people face emergencies overseas without adequate insurance. "Travel insurance is not just an optional extra – it’s a vital safeguard for Brits travelling abroad.”
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