Thomas Cook & SOTC introduce Exclusive Vegetarian Holidays to favourite summer locales

Mumbai, March 25, 2022: Indians are quintessential food enthusiasts and cuisine plays a key role especially when travelling. For vegetarians, this is even more of a deciding factor. Thomas Cook (India) Limited - India’s leading omnichannel travel services company and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, having identified a strong and growing opportunity in India’s vegetarian -segment, have introduced a range of special vegetarian tours that combine the best of cuisine and cultural experiences to a range of favourite summer locales.

Thomas Cook and SOTC’s consumer survey indicates significant potential: With over 85% respondents keen to travel for the upcoming summer vacation, more than 60% prefer vegetarian meals on tour. To leverage this opportunity, the Companies have curated distinctive vegetarian tours that celebrate local delicacies like Kashmir’s signature Kashmiri saag, Nadru Yakhni - Lotus Stem Curry; Himachal’s Babru - black gram stuffed bread and Aktori - a traditional pahadi sweet; Ladakh’s Thukpa, Tingmo - Tibetan steamed buns; Sikkim’s Khapse - a Sherpa biscuit Bamboo shoot curry; Darjeeling’s Phambi – popular street snack; and Sri Lanka’s Kottu roti, Wambatu moju - eggplant pickle, polos – green jackfruit curry, and more.

The exclusive vegetarian food tours have been curated to include favourite summer locales of Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Sikkim, Darjeeling and Sri Lanka and are accompanied by the Companies’ experienced tour managers - bringing added comfort and reassurance to travellers.

Special Tours:

· Himachal Veg. Special: 7 days tour to Shimla, Manali, Chandigarh at Rs. 30,900.00

· Ladakh Veg. Special: 7 days tour to Leh, Nubra, Pangong, Leh at Rs. 36,990.00

· Sikkim with Darjeeling Veg Special: 7 days tour to Gangtok, Pelling, Darjeeling at Rs. 47,990.00

· Kashmir Veg Special: 7 days tour to Gangtok, Pelling, Darjeeling at Rs. 47,990.00

· Sri Lanka Veg Special: 7 days tour to Nuwara Eliya, Bentota, Ahungalla, Colombo at Rs. 54,689.00

Additionally, the Companies have incorporated exciting local and outdoor experiences to offer a holistic holiday experience:

· Ride atop the Gondola ride at Gulmarg and ATV quad bikes in Ladakh

· Shikara ride at Dal Lake in Kashmir and a boat ride at Lake Gregory in Sri Lanka

· Adventure lovers can experience white water rafting at Kitulgala in Sri Lanka

· Wildlife enthusiasts can visit the Madu River Safari, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and the Turtle Hatchery & Farm in Sri Lanka

To add an element of fun and make the holiday experience unforgettable, the itineraries also include garba night, gala night and evening bonfire at select destinations.

To strengthen customer confidence in travel, Thomas Cook & SOTC’s “TravShield” is India’s only safety commitment – with only vaccinated staff and co-passengers among many other precautions, building on their “Assured” travel safety protocols - developed in association with Apollo Clinics.

TravShield & Assured together, ensure best in class safety and protection for travellers in the post Covid era, covering every distribution, delivery and partner touch point in the travel ecosystem.

“Indians love their food! And for vegetarians, vegetarian food especially during travel is critical. The significant and growing number of Indians preferring vegetarian food, offers us a strong opportunity and therefore we have designed exclusive vegetarian tours that incorporate the best of local specialities that are unique to the region. For example, we have incorporated much sought after delicacies like Kashmir’s Kahwa, Nadru Yakhni; Himachal’s Madra and Babru; Sri Lanka’s Kottu roti, Wambatu moju, etc. We have also included engaging and fun elements like outdoor, adventure and handpicked local experiences to make it a truly memorable holiday.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited

Additionally, our unique omnichannel network offers customers the convenience of selecting their preferred mode of contacting us: via our holiday app, virtual holiday store, website, call centre or extensive retail outlets pan India.”

“Our data indicates a significant shift in food preferences. Indians are switching to vegetarianism, not just for religious but also for health purposes. Keeping this in mind, our special vegetarian tours are designed to offer the best of local flavours to food lovers. To ensure added comfort and reassurance, all our tours are accompanied by our expert tour managers. Based on customer demand, our vegetarian tours offer favourite summer destinations like Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Darjeeling, Solang, Manali, Ladakh and Sri Lanka coupled with traveller-secret menus, exciting local experiences and fun activities like garba nights and bonfires to keep our customers delighted.”

Mr. Daniel D’souza, President & Country Head, SOTC Travel

About Thomas Cook (India) Limited:

Set up in 1881, Thomas Cook (India) Limited. (TCIL) is the leading omnichannel travel company in the country offering a broad spectrum of services including Foreign Exchange, Corporate Travel, MICE, Leisure Travel, Value Added Services, Visa and Passport services. It operates leading B2C and B2B brands including Thomas Cook, SOTC, TCI, SITA, Asian Trails, Allied T Pro, Australian Tours Management, Desert Adventures, Luxe Asia, Travel Circle International Limited (TCI 勝景遊), Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, Distant Frontiers, TC Tours, Digiphoto Entertainment Imaging (DEI), Go Vacation, Private Safaris East & South Africa

As one of the largest travel service provider networks headquartered in the Asia-Pacific region, The Thomas Cook India Group spans 25 countries across 5 continents

TCIL has been felicitated with CNBC-TV18 & ICICI Lombard India Risk Management Award - Travel & Leisure Category 2021, The Best Travel Agency – India at TTG Travel Awards 2019, The Best Outbound Tour Operator at the Times Travel Awards 2018 & 2019 and Leading Company with Cutting Edge Travel Innovation at the Times Travel Awards 2018, Silver award for Asia's Best Integrated Report (First Time) category at the Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards 2019, Best Risk

Management-Framework & Systems at the India Risk Management Awards 2019; Best Cash Management Solution – India at the Asset Triple A Treasury, Trade, Supply Chain & Risk Management Awards 2018, Best Outbound Tour Operator at the SATTE Awards 2019, Excellence in Domestic Tour Operations at the SATTE Awards 2018, The French Ambassador’s Award for Exemplary Achievements in Visa Issuance – 2015 to 2019 and the Condé Nast Traveller – Readers’ Travel Awards from 2011 to 2019.

CRISIL has reaffirmed the rating on debt programmes and bank facilities of Thomas Cook (India) Limited - ‘CRISIL A+/Negative on the long-term bank facilities of TCIL and CRISIL A1 rating on the short-term bank facilities and short- term debt of the Company. For more information, please visit www.thomascook.in

Fairbridge Capital (Mauritius) Limited, a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited promotes TCIL by holding 65.60% of its paid-up capital and is responsible for the execution of acquisition and investment opportunities.

About SOTC Travel:

SOTC Travel Limited is a step-down subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings held through its Indian listed subsidiary, Thomas Cook (India) Limited (TCIL). SOTC India is a leading omnichannel travel and tourism company active across various travel segments including Leisure Travel, Incentive Travel and Business Travel. SOTC was established in 1949. Since then, it has escorted millions of travellers across the globe for more than 70 years to various destinations around the world. A new age innovative holidaymaker, SOTC strives to make holidays a priority for every Indian. ‘We are for holidays’ and we want Indians to prioritize their holidays.

----