TBM Staff - Mumbai
SOTC Travelhas opened a new franchise in New Town, Kolkata. The outlet was inaugurated by Rakesh Bawa, Sr. Vice President & Head of National Sales, SOTC Travel. This expansion brings the company’s network in Kolkata to six locations (one retail store and five franchises), highlighting its strategic focus on growing its presence in the city. The new franchise will also serve nearby areas such as Newtown Action Area 2 and Rajarhat.
With a proud heritage spanning 75 years as an Indian brand, SOTC believes that no one understands Indian travellers better than they do. Kolkata is one of the company’s top five source markets, and the new outlet will cater to various customer segments including multigenerational families, seniors, couples, millennials, and Gen Z.
Kolkata Travel Trends:
Travel Intent: Increased by 25% year-over-year in 2024.
Longer Stays: Demand for longer stays is 20% higher compared to pre-pandemic times.
Higher Spending: Spending is 25-30% higher compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Top Destinations:
Domestic: Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Andamans, Kerala, Goa, Bhutan, and Nepal in the subcontinent.
International: Europe (Switzerland, France, Spain, Austria), Turkiye, Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA (for visa holders), Japan, South Korea, Abu Dhabi, Mauritius, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore.
Unique Preferences: Increased demand for personalised holidays and group tours, interest in experiential holidays, spiritual journeys, domestic cruises, unique accommodations, safaris, and biking trips.
Kolkata customers tend to favor culture and spirituality. To cater to these preferences, SOTC has launched Durga Puja special departures tailored to Bengali travellers’ tastes, including offering local food on tours and providing Bangla-speaking tour managers.
SOTC is known for its group escorted tours, both international and domestic, and customised holidays. To celebrate the new outlet opening, SOTC Travel is offering discounts of up to INR 50,000 on select holidays.
“We see Kolkata as a high-potential market and one of our top five source markets for leisure travel at SOTC. We’re experiencing robust growth in demand of 25% year-over-year in this region. The addition of our new store in New Town enhances our network and allows us to serve customers from New Town Action Area 2 and Rajarhat. This new outlet brings our total number of stores in the city to six, providing easier access and enabling us to serve a wider range of customer segments,” said Daniel D’Souza, President & Country Head – Holidays at SOTC Travel. “We warmly welcome our customers and look forward to planning their next holiday with us.”
SOTC Travel’s new outlet provides comprehensive travel solutions, including international and domestic holidays (group tours, personalised holidays, cruises, and more), as well as value-added services such as travel insurance and visa services.
