Family Vacations, Groups of Friends, Honeymoon Travel driving demand from Delhi.
Delhi, India – Delhi features as a top source market for Thomas Cook India, India’s leading integrated travel services company. Lockdown fatigue and pent-up demand are resulting in strong travel desire from Delhites – Thomas Cook India has been witnessing a robust 60% 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 due to marriage season in North is powering travel growth from Delhi. Thomas Cook India reports that the demand is back to 65% of pre-pandemic levels overall: domestic travel at an impressive 290%; international at 55% (acquisition data Sept 2021 vs Sept 2019). Maldives, Switzerland, France, Russia, Spain, Egypt are the top destinations, while Expo 2020 Dubai is seeing a brisk demand currently. Additionally, Delhi 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 5 owned/franchise outlets in Delhi (Connaught Place, Noida, Greater Kailash, Punjabi Bagh, Netaji Subhash Place, Kohat Enclave) and a total of 13 outlets across Delhi NCR, including Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Meerut.
Delhi NCR Travel Trends:
Thomas Cook India’s survey has revealed insightful consumer behaviours & travel trends for Delhi
- 62% prefer international destinations; favourites include Maldives, Dubai, Switzerland, France
- 78% prefer Domestic holidays; Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand; with North East and Andamans now seeing strong demand
*(*data not equal to 100% as multiple-choice options were provided to customers)
Top Experiences:
Delhites enjoy outdoor adventure trips like biking in Ladakh, Rafting in Uttaranchal, 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, snorkelling, 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 Delhi enjoy travelling with family or multi-generational family (60%); as a group of friends/colleagues (10%); 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).
Mr. Romil Pant, Senior Vice President, Leisure Travel, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Delhi 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, Delhites preferring outdoor adventure and mountain locations like Himachal Pradesh, Leh-Ladakh, Uttarakhand and North East; our bike trips are doing exceptionally well. While the Maldives has been Delhi’s top destination, we are seeing a strong surge for Europe, Turkey, along with the Expo 2020 Dubai across families and business/trade associations.
I am excited to announce our special offers and discounts on our Festive Holidays for Dussehra and Diwali. This is my personal invitation to Delhites 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.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
