Leisure & tourism

Traveller insights reveal uptick in desire/spends for exceptional experiences Thomas Cook India and SOTC launch Undiscovered Antarctica

Exploration of the 7th Continent on a Luxury Cruise

  • 10-day Cruise on the Ultra Luxe – L’ Austral with Deluxe stateroom cabins with balcony 
  • An adventure of a lifetime: experience unparalleled landscapes and wildlife of the 7th Continent
  • Guaranteed Departure: February 20, 2022

Mumbai, November 16, 2021: Indians are displaying strong and growing appetite for once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences and are not hesitating to increase their spends – reveals consumer data-analytics of Thomas Cook (India) Limited – India’s leading integrated travel services company and its Group Company, SOTC Travel. To capitalise on this opportunity, the Companies have announced Undiscovered Antarctica – taking Indians on a voyage of discovery of the magnificent 7th Continent. This distinctive holiday presents the awe-inspiring beauty of Antarctica while on-board a 10-day sailing on Ponant’s luxury cruise ship, L’ Austral.

The lockdowns/restrictions of the pandemic have given Indians a new-found appreciation for travel and a strong desire for truly exceptional/ bucket-list experiences – away from crowds. To tap into this growing travel trend, Thomas Cook India and SOTC have introduced an adventure of a lifetime via its Undiscovered Antarctica luxury cruise holiday. This exceptional trip invites Indians to embark on an expedition that is truly off-the-beaten-track, a voyage to a pristine land of the world’s largest glaciers, icebergs, the awe-inspiring Antarctic whales, penguin colonies and avian species. Adventure seekers can opt for exciting experiences like kayaking amidst the icy waters, hiking tours, and more. One can even visit Port Lockroy – home to the southernmost post office in the world, to send loved ones a postcard featuring the Antarctica stamp. An additional optional tour includes the resort town of Ushuaia, located at the southernmost tip of South America and hence referred to as the “End of the World”! 

This Limited Period offer includes:

  • Return Airfare India – Buenos Aires – India in Economy Class
  • Flight from Buenos Aires – Ushuaia – Buenos Aires
  • Cost of Multiple Entry Argentina & Chile Visas
  • 2 Nights Accommodation in a 4* city-centre hotel in Buenos Aires
  • 10 Nights on board the Ultra Luxury L’ Austral in Deluxe Stateroom cabins with balcony 
  • All major excursions on board the cruise
  • All meals on board the cruise (including vegetarian meals on all days & Indian meals on select days)
  • All beverages – Soft Drinks, Juices, Tea / Coffee, Champagne, Regular Wines & Spirits on board
  • All Private Airport Transfers

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “The pandemic has brought about a new perspective to life – and with it, exceptional travel experiences are seeing high demand; also an increased willingness to spend. We have hence introduced our exclusive Undiscovered Antarctica holidays, amidst the serene yet spectacular Frozen Continent – to bring true delight for every traveller. Antarctica offers an ideal destination for travel enthusiasts eager to explore the polar region and witness the matchless experiences it has to offer. The unexplored 7th Continent has an array of incredible elements and we invite our customers to embark on a journey of a lifetime with our exciting holiday.”

Additionally, this itinerary is covered by our “Assured” Safe Travel Program – developed in association with Apollo Clinics, ensures best in class travel safety protocols covering every distribution, delivery and partner touch point in the travel ecosystem. “TravShield” an upgraded safety commitment of only vaccinated staff and co-passengers among many other precautions, ensure traveller safety in the pandemic era.”
Mr. Daniel D’souza President & Country Head, SOTC Travel said, “The pandemic has completely transformed the Indian consumer’s approach towards travel. Customers are yearning to explore the finer nuances of offbeat destinations and the exceptional experiences on offer. Known for its striking beauty and wilderness, Antarctica makes for a perfect destination for travellers seeking the unconventional. We have thus curated a special 13-day itinerary to explore the 7th continent with its pristine white scenery, unique wildlife while indulging in the luxurious on-board experiences and build fond memories of a lifetime.”

*T&C apply

About Thomas Cook (India) Limited:

Set up in 1881, Thomas Cook India) Limited. (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. 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, Travel Circle International Limited (TCI 勝景遊), Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, Distant Frontiers, TC Tours, Digiphoto Entertainment Imaging (DEI), Go Vacation, 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 

TCIL has been felicitated with CNBC-TV18 & ICICI Lombard India Risk Management Award – Travel & Leisure Category 2021, 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 Travel Awards 2018, Silver award for Asia’s Best Integrated Report (First Time) category at the Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards 2019, 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) Limited – ‘CRISIL A+/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.

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) Limited: 

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) Limited. (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 51% stake in DEI Holdings Limited (DEI), one of the world’s leading imaging solutions and services providers. 

About SOTC Travel:

SOTC Travel Limited (Formerly SOTC Travel Pvt. Ltd.) is a step-down subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Group; held through its Indian listed subsidiary, Thomas Cook (India) Limited (TCIL). SOTC India is a leading travel and tourism company active across various travel segments including Leisure Travel, Incentive Travel and Business Travel and Foreign Exchange. SOTC was established in 1949. Since then, it has escorted millions of travellers across the globe for more than 70 years to various destinations around the world. A new age innovative holidaymaker, SOTC strives to make holidays a priority for every Indian. ‘We are for holidays’ and we want Indians to prioritize their holidays.

This news was shared to Prittle Prattle News via press release.

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