• Strong travel intent to travel during the festive period with family/ extended families and adhoc group of friends
• Festive tours include special regional group departures from high-potential source markets like West Bengal, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Tours accompanied by an experienced regional tour manager

Mumbai, September 4, 2025: Traditionally, Indian festivals have been celebrated at home or in ancestral houses, with families gathering under one roof. However, a strong trend being witnessed is that Indian consumers are increasingly choosing to travel and celebrate festivals – together as multi-generational family units and friends. Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel’s India Holiday Report 2025 reiterates this changing consumer behaviour, reflecting demand for longer festive breaks, higher holiday spends and a growing appetite for new experiences—from heritage and luxury stays to cruises and unexplored destinations.

To tap into this growing festival travel trend, Thomas Cook (India) Limited – India’s leading omnichannel travel services company – and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have introduced a specially curated range of holidays for the upcoming festive season, featuring special group tour departures from Kolkata for Durga Puja and Karnataka for Dussehra, as well as from high-potential markets of Gujarat and Maharashtra. In addition, the companies have also announced special Diwali departures across key pan-India markets.

In addition, the Companies have announced a special offer: Discounts of up to Rs.10000 per transaction across select holidays via HDFC credit cards.

Festive tourism trends

·        Longer stays and increased spends: From the traditional 3 days Indians are now extending their stays   to 6-12 days (multi-generational families combining school vacations like Dussehra, Durga Puja and Diwali). Young India’s millennials/GenZ and working professionals are embracing extended trips, combining weekends with festival holidays for a 5-6 day break

·        Favourite destinations:

o   Domestic & Indian Subcontinent: Andaman, Kerala, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Goa, Karnataka, North East, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal

o   International: Thailand, Singapore with Bintan, Malaysia, Sabah, Indonesia, Vietnam, Oman, Australia-New Zealand, Switzerland, France, Finland, Japan, Georgia, Germany, Spain, Austria, Kenya, South Africa, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Maldives, Mauritius, South Korea

o   Visa-Free, Visa-on-arrival and easy-visa destinations in demand: Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan; Dubai-Abu Dhabi, Indonesia, Maldives

·        Spiritual Journeys: Leveraging festive sentiment, Thomas Cook and SOTC have curated spiritual journeys through their Spiritual Journeys & Darshans portfolio – featuring Char Dham, Kashi, Ayodhya, Rameswaram, Tirupati, Amritsar, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Dwarka and Sri Lanka with special themed tours such as ‘Ramayan Anant Yatra’ and ‘Ramayan Trails’

·        Premium/affordable luxury travel: Customers are opting for luxury resorts and spas, with destinations like France, Switzerland, Scandinavia, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Oman, Morocco, Seychelles

·        Cruising: Strong interest for sailings across South East Asia and the Middle East (Costa Cruises, Resorts World Cruises); premium sailings like Disney Cruise Line in Australia and Singapore; domestic (Cordelia)

·        Festival regional group tours: The Companies are witnessing strong interest in their regional tours: Adhbhut Asia, Alokik Asia, Ashadharon Vietnam, Duronto Dubai O Abu Dhabi, Akorshonio France O Swiss with departures accompanied by regional tour managers; on-tour puja and curated vegetarian meals on select tours

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Travel has become non-negotiable and festive tourism serves as a powerful cultural driver. We are witnessing a strong and exciting trend—Indians are no longer staying at home but increasingly choosing to celebrate festivals while travelling. This is reiterated in our India Holiday Report 2025 that also reveals a strong shift—85% of Indians are increasing their travel frequency and budgets, driven by a desire to celebrate culture in immersive, meaningful ways.

Hence, to maximise this opportunity we have launched innovative festive regional groups tours like Adhbhut Asia, Alokik Asia, Ashadharon Vietnam, combining local and authentic experiences to meet the aspirations of India’s new-age travellers.”

Mr. S.D. Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays and Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel Limited said, “India’s festive calendar is fast emerging as a powerful travel driver. Families and friends and are increasingly using these breaks to create multiple holidays rather than a single long annual holiday. Significantly, this trend is not restricted to customers from metro cities, but also from India’s tier 2 and 3 markets, reflecting a strong, nationwide aspiration to travel. Travellers are also embracing new formats—cruise holidays, boutique and heritage stays, luxury villas and immersive experiences like culinary trails and adventure activities.. At SOTC, we have designed our festive portfolio to blend celebration with exploration—curating domestic and international tours that allow Indians to experience their festivals in unique settings, while creating deeper connections and lasting memories.”

In a bid to promote cross-border tourism, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced that citizens of Nepal and Bhutan can enter India without a passport or visa starting September 1, 2025. The Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, allows citizens of Nepal and Bhutan to enter India when arriving by land or air through their respective borders (without a passport or visa). The MHA informed, the requirement of a passport or any other travel documents, a visa for entry into, stay in and exit from India shall not apply if “a citizen of India entering into India by land or by air over the Nepalese or Bhutanese frontier, a citizen of Nepal or Bhutan entering into India by land or air over the Nepal or Bhutan border or if he possesses a valid passport while entering or exiting India from or to a place other than Nepal or Bhutan but not from China, Macau, Hong Kong or Pakistan”.As per the MHA’s notification under Section 33 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025:Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan coming by land or air from their respective countries are not required to show a passport or visa.The rule is also applicable to Indian nationals entering India by land or air via Nepal or Bhutan.However, citizens of Nepal and Bhutan must carry valid passports and visas if entering from any third nation—except if arriving with such documents from China, Macau, Hong Kong, or Pakistan.Identity Documentation

Nepali and Bhutanese citizens still need to carry valid identity proof such as:Citizenship certificateVoter ID (issued by the Election Commission of their country)Limited-validity photo-ID issued by their mission in IndiaFor kids aged 10–18, a school principal’s photo-ID accompanying parents; no ID required for children under 10Extended Exemptions under the New Order

The 2025 exemption consolidates and replaces earlier provisions (1957 and 2007 orders), and also extends passport and visa relaxations to:Members of Indian Armed Forces, along with their families when travelling on government transport Registered Tibetans who entered via Special Entry Permits issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, both before and after May 30, 2003 Minority community refugees (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, Christians) from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh who entered India on or before December 31, 2024, regardless of whether their travel documents are valid or expired Registered Sri Lankan Tamils who took shelter in India on or before January 9, 2015Impact on travellersNow Nepali and Bhutanese tourists and travellers planning to explore India can do that without worrying about a passport or visa. For tourism or personal visits, citizens from Nepal and Bhutan can directly enter from their home country using alternate IDs. This will simplify the documentation process and boost cross-border connectivity, trade, and ties while preserving national security.

Thomas Cook (India) and its group company, SOTC Travel, have signed a long-term memorandum of understanding with Tourism and Events Queensland to encourage travel from India to Queensland, Australia.

The agreement will cover content, education and training programmes and joint marketing, using Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel’s digital platforms and retail network to promote Queensland as a destination for leisure, meetings and incentives, business and sports tourism across metro and regional markets in India.

The agreement was signed by senior leadership from Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel with Katie Mills, international director at Tourism and Events Queensland, in the presence of David Crisafulli, premier of Queensland and minister for veterans.

Queensland offers a range of experiences for visitors, from UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest to the Gold Coast’s beaches and theme parks, the Whitsundays’ island stays and sailing, and Brisbane’s riverfront precincts and dining. Cairns and Port Douglas serve as gateways for reef and rainforest exploration. The state attracts families, couples, younger travellers and business groups, with sports tourism also a focus, including interest in cricket and the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.

Craig Davidson, CEO of Tourism and Events Queensland, commented: “This strategic connection with Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel is a powerful step forward in our mission to position Queensland as the destination of choice for India travellers. Through collaborative marketing, education and content creation, we’re excited to inspire more India visitors to discover ‘Australia’s Holiday Feeling’, which can only be experienced in Queensland.”

“Our intent is to create innovative, immersive, experience-led itineraries that appeal to our range of segments across multi-generational families, millennials and Gen Z, couples, working professionals and our powerful MICE corporates,” said Rajeev Kale, president and country head – holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India).

S D Nandakumar, president and country head – holidays and corporate tours, SOTC Travel, added: “Our strategy will focus on the key pivots of product development, education and marcom – we intend to spotlight Queensland’s iconic natural beauty while also showcasing the state’s hidden gems and exciting experiences – ensuring truly memorable and repeat visitations.”