With the onset of India’s wedding season, Thomas Cook (India) Limited and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have identified strong demand from the high opportune couple segment – both honeymooners and couples celebrating anniversaries and special occasions
The Companies’ consumer data reveals both a significant shift in honeymoon travel trends as well as increased demand with an uptick in online searches by over 30%. To capitalize on this strong opportunity the Companies have introduced a range of Honeymoon & Romantic Holidays.
With demanding work schedules and limited vacation time, today’s young newlyweds are opting for Mini-moons – a short 3-4 days honeymoon to nearby destinations, followed by a longer 7-15 days Mega-moon later in the year. Before the birth of the baby, India’s couples are also taking time off to travel, to celebrate the good news and spend quality time with their spouse – resulting in the emergence of Baby-moons. Additionally, couples are also travelling to celebrate wedding anniversaries, including milestones like their 25th and 50th celebrations.
What is noteworthy, is that Thomas Cook and SOTC’s data reveals growth in the extended honeymoon trend – not just from metros, but also mini-metros and regional India’s tier 2-3 cities.
Thomas Cook & SOTC Travel’s Honeymoon & Romantic Holidays portfolio features a range of handpicked destinations – from favourites like Switzerland, France Greece, Australia, New Zealand, Türkiye to new emerging romantic destinations like Vietnam, Fiji, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Oman, Hungary, Czech Republic. On offer are an array of island locales: Mauritius, Maldives, Hawaii, Bali, Thailand (Krabi, Kho Pha-Ngan, Hua-Hin), Malaysia (Tioman, Redang, Taman Negara). Also featured are the sub-continent’s honeymoon favourites: Andamans, Kashmir, Himachal, Kerala, North East, Goa, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.
Top honeymoon trends include:
- Top destinations:
- Domestic and Indian subcontinent: Andamans, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, North East, Goa, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka
- International favourites: Indonesia (Bali), Thailand, Maldives, Malaysia, Mauritius, Switzerland, France, Greece, Australia, New Zealand, Türkiye
- International emerging: Vietnam, Fiji, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Oman, Hungary, Czech Republic
- Growing demand for outdoor-adventure: Mangrove kayaking in Abu Dhabi, white/black-water rafting Rishikesh/New Zealand, waterfall abseiling in Malaysia, wadi-hopping in Oman, paragliding in Bir Billing, biking trips in Leh-Ladakh, jeep safaris in Jaisalmer/Thekkady, hiking/sledding/snowboarding in Switzerland
- Couples prefer exclusive and premium accommodation-: Chalets stays in Switzerland, chateaus in France, underwater villas/water bungalows in Maldives/Mauritius, lighthouses in California/Greece, treehouses in Malaysia/New Zealand, private pool villas in Bali, havelis in Rajasthan, private wildlife resort tents in Madhya Pradesh, glamping in Himachal Pradesh
- Average age of travellers: 25-34 years for newlyweds; 25-65 years for anniversaries and milestone celebrations
- Gastronomy experiences: Cappadocia balloon rides with champagne breakfast, dining on a private island/sandbank in Queensland/Maldives, Bustronome (gourmet dining onboard a double decker bus) in Paris/London, pub crawls/clubbing in Ibiza, masterclass with a local chef in France/Malaysia/Thailand, chocolate and cheese experience amidst alpine views at Glacier 3000
- Scenic Vistas: panoramic train journeys via the Glacier Express in Switzerland, private helicopter rides in Australia/New Zealand, Vespa rides in Singapore, couple snowmobiling in Scandinavia, self-drives via sports cars/convertibles or sightseeing on a Harley in New Zealand
- Couples are opting for in-depth mono-destination honeymoons be it Norway, Türkiye, Greece, Kenya; multi-city destinations in Paris, Switzerland, Italy, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand
- Increase in travel spends: 10-15% YoY
- Travel budget (per couple): Rs. 1-1.5 lakh (domestic); Rs. 1-2 lakh (mid-short haul); Rs. 4-5 Lakh (long-haul) Vs Rs. 80,000-1 lakh (domestic); Rs.95,000-1.5 lakh (mid-short haul); Rs.3-4 lakh (long-haul) last year
- Extended duration of stay: 5-6 nights (domestic); 5-8 nights (mid-short haul); 8-15 nights (long-haul) Vs 4-5 nights (domestic); 4-6 nights (mid-short haul); 7-12 nights (long-haul)
- High demand for personalized services: private fine dining (sunrise breakfast, sunset dining), couple spa and wellness/Ayurveda, private chauffeur personalized local tours/ guided heritage walks, photoshoots at top attractions
- Couples are celebrating milestone anniversaries at vineyard estates (France and Italy); Premium cruises (Scandinavian Fjords, Caribbean, Polar, Mediterranean, Singapore, Abu-Dhabi)
Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, said, “Honeymoons have emerged as a strong and growing travel driver and what is noteworthy is the growing trend – an extension to mini-moons, mega-moons, baby-moons and milestone anniversary celebrations. What is also interesting is that Indian couples are demonstrating higher spend appetite and interest in longer stays. Hence, our Honeymoon & Romantic Holidays portfolio has been launched with a host of stunning locales, exciting experiences and great offers.”
S.D. Nandakumar – President and Country Head – Holidays and Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel Limited, said, “With a legacy of 75 years as an Indian-grown entrepreneurial brand, we believe that no one understands the Indian traveller better than SOTC. And so, to inspire India’s rapidly evolving couple segment, our honeymoon products have been carefully curated to include fun outdoor-adventure elements, unique cuisine experiences and personalized services. What is encouraging is that we are seeing strong demand not just from metros but also regional India’s tier 2-3 cities.”
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