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Thomas Cook India & SOTC Travel launch monsoon getaways
Mumbai: Indians are displaying a continued appetite for travel post the peak summer season. With the monsoon season ushering in a cooler climate, Indians are keen to travel and this has resulted in a 15-20 per cent increase in demand compared to last year – for monsoon travel. To capitalise on this increased demand, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have curated exciting monsoon getaways that include short driveable holidays, air-inclusive holidays, weekend & extended weekend getaways and multiple shorter trips/mini-cations of approx. three-seven days starting at Rs 7,099.00 for four days.
Indians are quintessential value seekers and are showcasing interest in availing of attractive off-season pricing. Thomas Cook & SOTC’s monsoon getaways offer low-season discounts, together with special offers/complimentary add-on benefits to India’s millennials/working professionals, couples, groups of friends and families.
Travelling in India during the monsoon creates a memorable experience for travellers with its cool climate, lush green landscapes and replenished water bodies.
The Companies’ Monsoon portfolio extends across popular locales like Kerala backwaters, Wayanad, Coorg, Munnar, Vagamon, Alleppey, Chikmagalur, Ooty, Kodaikanal, Manali, Shimla, Nainital, and Pondicherry. Also, Himalayan ranges and off-beat destinations like Dharamshala, Spiti Valley and the North-East; beach destinations like Goa and Andamans.
Travellers from Delhi-NCR are keen on short and drivable holidays to Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Mcleodganj, Nainital, Mussoorie; travellers from Maharashtra & Gujarat are visiting Rajmachi, Lohagad, Igatpuri, Lonavala, Matheran, Mahableshwar and Panhala; and travellers from Karnataka/Tamil Nadu are visiting Hampi, Gokarna, Coorg, Pondicherry, Kanyakumari.
Outdoor enthusiasts can opt for thrilling game drives at leading national parks like Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Corbett or monsoon hiking/trekking. Adventure seekers are spoilt for choice with high-adrenaline experiences such as body surfing, waterfall rappelling/trekking in Rishikesh and Lonavala; white water rafting in Ladakh, zip lining in Dawki, kayaking in Kerala, etc. Leisurely biking trips among quaint hamlets, lush meadows and tea/coffee plantations are also a top draw across India. This is an ideal time for Kerala’s famed Ayurveda treatments and a tour of the backwaters and forests of Thekkady.
Additionally, short-haul international destinations are witnessing high demand during this season with increased interest for Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi; island destinations like Maldives, and Mauritius. Strongly emerging on the radar are Vietnam, Cambodia and Japan; also Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka in the Indian subcontinent.
Cruises represent a unique value proposition for travellers for monsoon travel: an all-inclusive holiday without the hassle of multiple check-in/check-out and transfers. On the domestic front, Thomas Cook & SOTC have emerged as top sellers of India cruises (Cordelia), with over 8000 customers booked from the restart of travel. Popular cruises during the monsoon include domestic sailing of Cordelia Cruise (Chennai – High seas – Chennai) and Chennai to Sri Lanka; on the international front, Resorts World Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises in Singapore.
Thomas Cook (India) Ltd president & country head –Holidays MICE Visa Rajeev Kale, said, “Monsoons in India have a special attraction – an experience in itself to witness the rains across different parts of the Country. Being a traditionally low season for travel, Monsoon is the perfect time to embrace the great outdoors and experience slow travel at discounted rates with special offers. Our Monsoon Getaways include a diversity of offbeat experiences such as biking trips, trekking, hiking, and more for customers across segments including millennials/working professionals, groups of friends, couples and families. We invite our customers to book their monsoon getaway with us and have a memorable experience”.
SOTC Travel president & country head – Holidays Daniel D’souza, said, “Travelling in India during the monsoon season creates an out-of-the-world experience with beautiful scenery and weather. It’s the perfect season for self-drive holidays, nature trails and offbeat outdoor & adventure experiences like bike trips, hiking, rafting, waterfall rappelling/trekking, and more. Our Monsoon Holidays are curated for customers who want to experience India’s untapped beauty amidst the rains. Additionally, value options like special deals/discounts, complimentary transfers, dining or spa vouchers make Monsoon travel a truly attractive value proposition for Indians”.
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Samsung India elevates Aditya Babbar to lead mobile business
Exec takes charge of MX sales and marketing after Raju Pullan’s exit
NEW DELHI: Samsung India has elevated Aditya Babbar to lead its mobile phone business, following the exit of Raju Antony Pullan.
Babbar, who previously served as vice president within the mobile division, has been appointed head of sales and marketing for the MX (mobile experience) business, effective May 1. In his new role, he will oversee the company’s sales and marketing operations for smartphones and related categories in India, reporting to the executive vice president of the MX business.
A long-time Samsung executive, Babbar brings over a decade of experience within the organisation, having held multiple leadership roles across product, marketing and category management. Most recently, he led product marketing and e-commerce for the mobile division, following earlier stints as head of product and marketing and senior director roles.
His career within Samsung Electronics and its India operations has also included responsibilities for flagship devices, tablets and wearables, giving him a broad view of the company’s premium and mass-market portfolio.
Babbar succeeds Pullan, who stepped down from the role, marking a leadership transition at a time when India remains a key battleground for global smartphone makers.
The appointment signals continuity within Samsung’s leadership bench, with an internal candidate stepping up to steer one of its most critical business units in a highly competitive market.
