Mumbai: 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
