Thomas Cook India data indicates strong travel demand from Pune
Pune, October 14, 2021: Pune features as a top source market for Thomas Cook India, India’s leading integrated travel services company. Lockdown fatigue and pent-up demand is resulting in strong travel desire from Punekars – Thomas Cook India has been witnessing a robust 70% month-on-month increase since re-opening in June 2021. A surge in demand for the upcoming Festive & Winter Season, Expo 2020 Dubai and honeymoon travel is powering travel growth from Pune. Thomas Cook India reports that the demand is back to 55% of pre-pandemic levels overall: domestic travel at an impressive 300%; international at 50% (acquisition data Sept 2021 vs Sept 2019). Maldives, Switzerland, France, Russia, Turkey and Egypt are the top destinations, while Expo 2020 Dubai is seeing a brisk demand currently. Additionally, Pune is also witnessing a strong demand for overseas education travel and Thomas Cook India has delivered well on student travel to USA and Canada with quarantine packages.
Thomas Cook India’s extensive network covers 4 owned/franchise outlets in Pune (Bhandarkar Road, Pune Camp, Viman Nagar and Aundh) and a total of 25 outlets across Maharashtra, including Mumbai and key Tier 2-3 cities like Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, Nagpur and Ahmednagar.
Information was given by Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited in the press conference. Meenal Hate – West India Sales Head, Manish Kabre – Quality Control Manager, Shreyas Khapre – Sales Head Rest of Maharashtra, Imran Chauhaan – Europe Tour Manager and Miling Gaikwad- Europe Tour Manager were present at the press conference.
Pune Travel Trends:
Thomas Cook India’s survey has revealed insightful consumer behaviours & travel trends for Pune
Strong Travel Demand: over 77% respondents from Pune are keen to travel in 2021 itself
Domestic-International Mix & Preferred Destinations:
· 62% prefer international destinations; favourites include Maldives, Dubai, Switzerland, France
· 78% prefer Domestic holidays; Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand; with North East, Rajasthan and Andamans now seeing strong demand
Top Experiences:
Punekars enjoy outdoor adventure trips like Biking in Ladakh, Kashmir, Rajasthan, South India; mountain destinations and experiences like ATV rides/a picnic lunch in an apple orchard; Andamans and beach destinations with water sports like sea karting, snorkeling, etc. Winter holidays with festivities of Christmas markets in Switzerland & France or Russia’s Lapland & Northern Lights, Nile
cruises, hot air ballooning in Cappadocia (Turkey) and Expo 2020 Dubai are top favourites
Key segments driving demand: families, millennials/young professionals, honeymooners, business & b-leisure, students and spiritual tourism.
Travel Companions: Customers from Pune enjoy travelling with family or multi-generational family (50%); as a group of friends/colleagues (20%); couples (25%); solo (5%)
EXPO 2020 Dubai is catalyzing growth for Q4 2021
And to accelerate demand, as authorized ticket re-sellers (India), Thomas Cook India has launched very special deals: Rs 52,000 (air-inclusive holidays) and Rs 28,000 (land only).
Special Offers for the Festive Season: Thomas Cook India has announced attractive deals like Buy One Get One – Companion Free across select India & International holidays; an Early Bird offer of Rs 60,000 per family on select Europe Tours; Taj Vouchers valued at Rs 10,000 on India Extravaganza holidays – an aprox. 10 day extensive itinerary for in-depth exploration.
Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Pune continues to be one of our best performing markets and contributes significantly to our Holidays business –international and domestic. This year we have seen high demand for travel within India, Punekars preferring outdoor adventure and mountain locations like Himachal Pradesh, Leh-Ladakh, Uttarakhand and North East; our bike trips are doing exceptionally well. While Maldives has been Pune’s top destination, we are seeing a strong surge for Europe, Turkey and Expo 2020 Dubai across families and business/trade associations.
I am excited to announce our special offers and discounts on our Festive Holidays for Navratri and Dussehra. This is my personal invitation to Punekars to come and visit our branches and plan a truly memorable holiday with family and friends for the festive and winter season ahead.”
He added, “All our packages/ trips are equipped with TravShield – comprehensive Safety Commitment & Assured Safe Travel Program 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 • Sanitized Rooms & Vehicles.”
