With a growing vaccinated population and easing of restrictions, customer confidence in travel is witnessing a strong rebound. As per Thomas Cook India & SOTC's survey that covered metros, mini-metros, Tier 2 - 3 cities, 77 per cent of respondents are keen to travel in 2021 itself.
Additionally, winter experiences during the Christmas-New Year festive season present a significant travel opportunity, especially for working professionals yet to consume their annual leave.
Snowscapes of winter along with the festivities and light-ups of Christmas across the UK and Europe's Switzerland, France, Germany and Austria hold strong allure for Indian travellers. Winter's wonderland offers unique experiences: snowboarding/ tobogganing or reindeer sleighs, staying in a glass igloo with ringside views of the spectacular Northern Lights, a visit to Santa's Village in Rovaniemi, panoramic winter vistas aboard the Glacier Express, winter saunas/spas with fire and ice pools or indulging in fondue in a tram! Not surprising then, that Europe and UK are in top demand; Maldives, Turkey and Egypt are seeing a strong continuum.
The growing interest in Expo 2020 Dubai is giving rise to significant interest for Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Domestic locales like Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal, North-East for winter experiences; Rajasthan, Goa, Gujarat, Andamans and Kerala are also high on the Indian travellers wish list for November - December 2021.
Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head - Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, "Customer confidence is on the rise and with it a strong demand for winter/year-end travel. We have launched our Winter Holidays that offer spectacular winter vistas coupled with unique experiences and special offers - for a perfect much-awaited holiday. From family bonding over snow experiences, couples celebrating amidst romantic locales, to friends delighting in winter cuisine and wine, we have included a host of exceptional winter activities across a variety of favourites like Switzerland, the UK, France, Germany, Austria, Dubai and Abu-Dhabi - with the Dubai Expo 2020 providing a once in a lifetime experience. We invite our customers to book our Winter Holidays and witness unique Christmas Markets, the Northern Lights, seasonal specials like mulled wine, hot fondue, raclette cheese experiences, and more."
Daniel D'souza President & Country Head, SOTC Travel said, "Winter Travel is gaining momentum and customers are inclined to travel to new destinations and build on happy memories, especially due to the restrictions in the past 18 months. With rising customer confidence in air travel and to cater to the growing appetite we are delighted to present an array of winter specials for our customers from families, groups of friends, millennials, and honeymooners - to experience winter wonderland experiences from thrilling snow activities to food and wine specialities, to rejuvenating wellness experiences, to visit Santa Claus' home town in Finland, there are a host of unique experiences to tick off from your bucket list. Customers can benefit from the special family discounts like Early bird discounts, Buy One, Get one - Companion free along with inclusions, curated keeping in mind the needs of our customers."
How about starting your day with a yoga session amidst pristine natural beauty, surrounded with paddy fields and palm trees? Kairali Ayurvedic Healing Village in Kerala's Palakkad town, is one such destination
"Take a deep breath, look straight, and free yourself," said my trainer Suzanne, looking straight into my eyes even as a shiver went down my spine at the thought of bungee jumping from an 83-metre-high cliff in the direction of the Hyul river way below.
Sitting in one of the many street cafes, sipping hot espresso in between bites of a sacher torte (Viennese chocolate cake) while listening to a violin being played in the background is perhaps the perfect way to spend an evening in surreal Vienna, which takes pride in its laid-back culture.
There is a lot more to Sin City besides gambling and shows, the possibilities are endless from unique attractions and quirky museums to international cuisine and the best nightlife in the world.
When the cold rolls in and wooly socks come out, you know winter has arrived. It is a time of year when the world brings out its blanket of white and gets ready for a few months of hibernation awaiting the spring warmth to return once more.
