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 an 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 star gazing experience in a gypsy 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.”
For details on Thomas Cook India’s Hidden Gems Holidays click here
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.”
For details on SOTC’s Hidden Gems Holidays click here
*Per person on twin sharing basis
*Terms and conditions apply
About Thomas Cook (India) Limited: Set up in 1881, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. (TCIL) is the leading integrated travel and travel
related financial services company in the country offering a broad spectrum of services that include Foreign Exchange, Corporate
Travel, MICE, Leisure Travel, Value Added Services, Visa and Passport services and E-Business. It operates leading B2C and B2B
brands including Thomas Cook, SOTC, TCI, SITA, Asian Trails, Allied T Pro, Australian Tours Management, Desert Adventures,
Luxe Asia, Kuoni Hong Kong, Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, TC Forex, Distant Frontiers, TC Tours, TC Visa, Travel Circle
International Limited, Ithaka, Digiphoto Entertainment Imaging (DEI), Private Safaris East & South Africa.
As one of the largest travel service provider networks headquartered in the Asia-Pacific region, The Thomas Cook India Group
spans 25 countries across 5 continents, a team of over 8388 and a combined revenue in excess of Rs. 6948.3 Cr. (over $ 0.93 Bn.)
for the financial year ended March 31, 2020.
TCIL has been felicitated with The Best Travel Agency – India at TTG Travel Awards 2019, The Best Outbound Tour
Operator at the Times Travel Awards 2018 & 2019 and Leading Company with Cutting Edge Travel Innovation at the Times,
Silver award for Asia's Best Integrated Report (First Time) category at the Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards, Best Risk
Management-Framework & Systems at the India Risk Management Awards 2019; Best Cash Management Solution – India
at the Asset Triple A Treasury, Trade, Supply Chain & Risk Management Awards 2018, Best Outbound Tour Operator at
the SATTE awards 2019, Excellence in Domestic Tour Operations at the SATTE Awards 2018, The French Ambassador’s
Award for Exemplary Achievements in Visa Issuance – 2015 to 2019 and the Condé Nast Traveller – Readers’ Travel
Awards from 2011 to 2019.
CRISIL has reaffirmed the rating on debt programmes and bank facilities of Thomas Cook (India) Ltd at ‘CRISIL AA-/Negative on
the long-term bank facilities of TCIL and CRISIL A1+ rating on the short-term bank facilities and short- term debt of the Company.
For more information, please visit www.thomascook.in
Fairbridge Capital (Mauritius) Limited, a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited promotes TCIL by holding 65.60% of its
paid-up capital and is responsible for the execution of acquisition and investment opportunities.
About Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited: Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited is a holding company which, through its
subsidiaries, is engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and investment management. Founded in 1985 by the
present Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Prem Watsa, the company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Its common
shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol FFH and in U.S. dollars under the symbol FFH.U.
About Subsidiaries of Thomas Cook (India) Ltd.: Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, wholly owned subsidiary of TCIL is engaged
in time share and resort business.
SOTC Travel Limited, wholly owned subsidiary of TCIL is a leading travel and tourism company active across various travel
segments including Leisure Travel, Incentive Travel and Business Travel.
Travel Corporation India (TCI), a brand owned by TCIL through its wholly owned subsidiary company, is the leading Destination
Management Company in India that offers tailor-made travel and related services to India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.
Thomas Cook India Group holds a 51% stake in DEI Holdings Limited (DEI), one of the world’s leading imaging solutions and
services providers.
