Thomas Cook (India) Limited, alongside SOTC Travel, is tapping into the surging trend of festival and cultural event tourism with the launch of specially curated holidays centered around iconic global and Indian celebrations. Recent findings from the India Holiday Report reveal that nearly 75% of respondents now prioritize immersive, experience-led travel, driving demand for trips themed around the world’s most famous festivals and carnivals.
Catering to this shift, Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel’s latest portfolio features diverse experiences—from Spain’s exhilarating La Tomatina Festival and Germany’s Oktoberfest to the famed Rio Carnival in Brazil, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Venice Carnival in Italy, and Thailand’s Songkran. Regional favorites like Malaysia’s Chinese New Year and Australia’s Moomba Festival also feature prominently. In Asia, unique experiences include the Sapporo Snow Festival (Japan) and Lantern Festival in Hoi An (Vietnam).
For Indian travelers looking to explore vibrant local traditions, the lineup covers Onam in Kerala, Rann Utsav in Gujarat, Pushkar Mela and the Jaisalmer Desert Festival in Rajasthan, Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, Brahmaputra Beach Festival in Assam, and Goa Carnival, among others. Each travel experience is designed to blend authentic celebrations with local cuisine, cultural performances, and immersive activities.
Industry leaders Rajeev Kale of Thomas Cook (India) Limited and S D Nandakumar of SOTC Travel highlight the strong interest from all traveler segments—including millennials, Gen Z, families, and corporate groups—across metros and emerging Tier 2-3 cities. These curated festival holidays are set to redefine the modern Indian vacation, offering travelers enriching and memorable journeys rooted in cultural discovery. As festival and carnival tourism continues to reshape global travel preferences, Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel remain at the forefront, opening up new opportunities for authentic, transformative holidays.
