Thomas Cook India, SOTC Travel Sign Deal With New Zealand Agency To Promote Winter Tours
The Indian travel agencies will develop packages targeting multi-generational families, couples, working professionals, millennials and GenZ groups.
Thomas Cook India Ltd. and group company SOTC Travel Ltd. have signed a joint-venture agreement with Tourism New Zealand.
While announcing the deal on Thursday, Thomas Cook India's statement added that the aim of the venture is to boost demand during the winter season—June to August— in the island country.
"New Zealand is magical in winter, and with this season being India's biggest vacation period, our JV with Tourism New Zealand intends to maximise the opportunity," Thomas Cook India President and Country Head of Holidays, MICE, Visa, Rajeev Kale said.
The partnership entails Thomas Cook and SOTC Travel developing travel products and marketing them strategically.
The Indian travel agencies will use their experience and their large customer base to promote these products to people across metros, mini-metros and tier II and tier III cities throughout India.
They will target the products at multi-generational families, couples, working professionals, millennials and Gen Z groups.
Kale pointed to fewer crowds and off-season pricing as "further benefits that serve to inspire our value-seeking Indian travellers".
According to Tourism New Zealand's René de Monchy, holiday visitor numbers from India have seen double-digit growth.
And, he sees strong future potential. The Tourism New Zealand chief executive added that "through our high-impact marketing initiatives with Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel, we are focused on converting this interest into increased bookings and visitor flows during traditionally quieter travel periods in New Zealand".
Meanwhile, SD Nandakumar of SOTC Travel said that his company has witnessed growing interest in New Zealand travel not only from Indian metros but also from smaller cities and towns. Therefore, his firm's focus will be on encouraging Indian travellers to experience New Zealand's winter attractions.
The statement added that travellers can see the stunning snow-capped views and take part in various activities like snowboarding, skiing, heli-hiking, trekking, geothermal hot springs, and whale-watching, as well as enjoy the Southern Lights. People can also ride the TranzAlpine train and take Lord of the Rings tours.
Shares of Thomas Cook India Ltd. closed 2.53% higher at Rs 135.65 apiece on the BSE, compared to a 0.41% advance in the benchmark Sensex.
—With PTI inputs
