Page 25 - TBM_February_2024

IN CONVERSATION
TRAVELBIZ MONITOR FEBRUARY, 2024 25
n

SOTC Travel has been a leader with a strong segments, we have launched an extensive the UDAN scheme, we see strong potential in
customer loyalty for over seven decades, range of value, premium to uber luxury 2024! Our strategy will pivot around the twin
due to a multi-pronged approach that is Cruise Holidays: from short cruise getaways/ pillars of product development/innovation and
rooted in strategic innovation. We have weekenders, river cruises, Polar cruises technology, while keeping the customer at the
customised our product-service portfolio basis (Arctic/Antarctica), round-the-world cruises heart of what we do.
our customer’s requirements, focusing on and more to target segments - across Leisure, Cruise holidays, the convergence of sports
regional preferences and unique elements like Corporate, B-Leisure and MICE. and travel, and an ongoing penchant for luxury
regional cuisine and language-speaking tour While we were the first to launch a experiences will reinforce our commitment
managers, while we ensure a personalised dedicated Darshans/Spiritual Journeys to providing diverse and personalised travel
and culturally resonant experience for our portfolio that covered all the religious options. Emerging trends, including Astro
customers. circuits of India, we saw an interesting Tourism and sustainable tourism ensure our
Our leisure segment caters to various shift in customer behaviour – Young India teams are kept forward looking!
traveller segments, including multi- displayed high interest in exploring traditional For instance, the introduction of our
generational families, Gen Z, millennials, pilgrimages but they also wanted to combine ‘Easy Book Easy Go’ portfolio caters to the
young professionals, couples, honeymooners, this with unique local experiences and spontaneous and fast-paced travel preferences
DINKS, solo travellers, and seniors. outdoor adventure like white-water rafting and of the modern explorer. As we navigate these
Strong travel intent and high disposable night trekking in Vaishno Devi, diving with dynamic trends, SOTC Travel is poised to
income, combined with the aspirational PADI professionals in Rameswaram, bungee redefine and elevate the travel experience for
value of holidays emerging from Regional jumping in Rishikesh, etc. – this inspired us to our customers in 2024 and beyond.
India has contributed to a noteworthy 35% of create a range of holidays that catered to this
SOTC’s holiday business, thus making these demand. Q What is your business expansion
markets key growth drivers for us. The launch Moreover, our continuous investment strategy, and what are the major areas
of SOTC’s website in regional languages is in technological advancements has kept of focus for the next two years?
intended to reach out to this rapidly growing us at the forefront. The omnichannel As SOTC Travel enters a new phase of growth,
market. model, coupled with the AI-enabled chat we are embarking on an extensive expansion
Pioneering escorted group tours and bot combined with our regional focus strategy aimed at strengthening our retail
introducing unique offerings like SOTC have collectively fortified SOTC Travel as a footprint. Currently, operating across 44
Brahman Mandal for Maharashtra and SOTC prominent and trusted player in the travel cities with 76 outlets, including both owned
Gurjar Vishwadarshan for Gujarat exemplify industry for an illustrious seven decades. and franchise outlets; also an expansive
our dedication to catering to distinct regional To ensure we build a deeper connect partnership of over 800 preferred agent
preferences. Initiatives like a one-day with our consumers, we have deployed AI partners.
road shows - Holiday Bazaars, allow us to to analyse our customer conversations and In 2023, we successfully launched 12
engage with diverse communities directly. enhance our products-services and processes. franchise outlets in tier 2 and 3 cities such
This regional focus aligns with our goal of Another key initiative is our tech enabled as Ludhiana, Dehradun, Anand, and Meerut,
accessibility and has proven instrumental end-to-end CXI program at each stage of the setting the stage for our ambitious expansion
in tapping into potential markets with high consumer journey – giving us deep insights plans. Over the next two years, our strategic
disposable income. into our customer experience. focus will emphasise diversifying our product
Our strong digital focus has resulted in a offerings, with a particular emphasis on
drop in the average age of our consumers by Q Considering the diverse travel meeting the preferences of the younger
10 years. To cater to the unique preferences of preferences and trends, how does demographic and strengthening our position
this younger and more enthusiastic segment SOTC Travel plan to continue meeting the in spiritual tourism. At SOTC Travel, we are
who loves to explore and experience, we offer evolving needs of its customers in the years not only expanding geographically but also
a diverse range- from our Gen Z products to come? evolving with agility to meet the dynamic
to co-curated holidays across destinations With the inauguration of the Ram Mandir needs of India’s diversity of travellers,
that can be customized as per their specific creating heightened interest in spiritual reiterating our reputation as pioneers in the
interests. tourism, coupled with a zeal for exploring travel industry.
Given the high interest for Cruises, across hidden gems and the opening up of India via prasenjit.chakraborty@saffronsynergies.in

WWW.TRAVELBIZMONITOR.COM