Tag Archives: Kashmir

Thomas Cook India launches store in Kolkata’s New Town

With a strategic intent to capitalise on the strong and growing demand from Kolkata, Thomas Cook (India) Limited has inaugurated a new branch in the high potential market of New Town and its surrounding catchments.

In addition to the customers from the city of Kolkata, the new branch will also service customers from the surrounding catchments of Action Area 1, 2 and 3 and Rajarhat. The new outlet expands Thomas Cook India’s network to 8 locations in the city and state.
New Town’s position as an important market offers a range of valuable consumer segments including – business professionals, families, couples, Young India’s millennials & Gen Z, and seniors alike.

Thomas Cook’s new outlet offers end-to-end travel services: International & Domestic Holidays (Group Tours, Personalised holidays, Cruises, etc.), Value Added Services like Travel Insurance, etc.

Kolkata Travel Trends for the festive season
• Top destinations:
o International: Japan, Europe’s Switzerland, France, Finland, Spain-Portugal, Czech Republic-Hungary, Australia, Finland & Scandinavia and Kenya
o Domestic: Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal, Andamans, North-East
• Holiday duration has increased from 3 days to 5 – 8 days for short trips; from 5 days to 10 -15 days for longer trips
• Emergence of fresh new destinations: Azerbaijan, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Japan and South Korea
• Top traveller segments: Multi-generational families, couples, Young India’s millennials & GenZ, GenS (seniors)
• Top source markets for Pujo Tourism: West Bengal Cities like Kolkata, Siliguri & Durgapur & adjoining States Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand & Odisha

Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Kolkata is an important source market for us, and we deeply value our discerning customers who are passionate about travelling! Durga Pujo is a very special festival for our customers from the City of Joy and so, we have selected this Pujo season for the inauguration of our Gold Circle Partner franchise outlet in New Town. This central location will offer easy access and seamless services – right to our customers’ doorstep! We have introduced a range of unique tours designed to delight our Bengali customers this festive season.

On behalf of my Team, I extend a warm welcome and special Pujo greetings to our Kolkata customers, and look forward to helping them plan memorable holidays, both domestic and international.”

 

Kashmir Marathon Set to Promote J&K as a Leading Tourist Hub:LG

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stated that the Kashmir Marathon will showcase Jammu and Kashmir as a top-tier tourist destination.

Introducing the logo, website, and teaser for the inaugural Kashmir Marathon set for October 20 in Srinagar, LG Sinha stated, “We aspire to make this event a beacon of peace and harmony. I am confident the Kashmir Marathon will place J&K firmly on the global running map and enhance global recognition of J&K, highlighting our potential as a premier tourist destination.”

He congratulated the J&K Tourism Department and all the stakeholders associated with the international running event.

The LG invited runners from around the globe to join the Kashmir Marathon and discover the unique charm of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that the Kashmir Marathon was the next addition to the series of world-class events being organised in J&K following the successful F4 racing event in Srinagar, the Sunburn Music Festival in Jammu, and the J&K Tourism Development Conclave held recently in Srinagar.

“We are also exploring possibilities to organise the annual Jammu Marathon,” LG Sinha said.

Emphasizing the socio-economic benefits of the Kashmir Marathon, he noted that the event would invigorate local businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops, thus enhancing the region’s prosperity.

IHG Hotels & Resorts announces a new voco hotel in Kashmir

 

IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement with Geelan Residency for voco Srinagar – IHG’s first hotel in Kashmir. Scheduled to open in October 2026, the signing is in line with IHG’s strategy to expand presence across key leisure destinations in India and capitalise on the growing tourism industry in the country. The signing also marks the sixth voco hotel being developed in India and follows the opening of the first voco in Jim Corbett.

voco offers a premium experience to guests and combines the informality and charm of an individual hotel with the quality and reassurance of a global and respected brand. The brand has showcased remarkable growth trajectory since its debut in India in 2023 and has already expanded across markets such as Jim Corbett, Gurugram, Mumbai, Goa, and Punjab.

The latest signing is testament to the growing popularity of the brand in India.

Located in the upmarket commercial area of the city, voco Srinagar will be easily accessible by road from the airport, major leisure attractions in the city and key residential areas.

Additionally, the new-build hotel will be situated within a 2-hour driving distance from Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonmarg, making it an ideal choice for leisure travellers. voco Srinagar will feature 95 well-appointed rooms, diverse dining options including an all-day dining and a pool deck and a fitness centre pool. In addition to hosting leisure guests from India and globally, the hotel will be well poised to cater to the demands for social gatherings and MICE.

Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, expressed excitement about establishing IHG’s footprint in Kashmir with their premium brand, voco, in partnership with Geelan Residency. He highlighted Kashmir’s popularity as a leisure destination and the increasing demand for quality branded accommodation. Javeed Jeelani, Managing Partner, Geelan Residency, also shared his delight in partnering with IHG Hotels & Resorts to debut the voco brand in Kashmir, confident that the hotel’s prime location and IHG’s global standards.

Amarnath yatra kicks off with first batch reaching Kashmir

 

The first batch of over 4,000 pilgrims, including nine children, arrived in the Kashmir Valley on Friday for the annual Amarnath Yatra, which will commence from the twin base camps in the Valley on Saturday. The pilgrims boarded a cavalcade of 231 vehicles in Jammu and reached south Kashmir in the afternoon.

Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of 4,603 pilgrims from the Yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu, with devotees raising slogans and singing hymns. Sinha emphasised that elaborate security arrangements have been put in place for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage, with multiple security rings in place.

This year’s pilgrimage is taking place under the shadow of militant threat after nine pilgrims were killed and 33 injured in Reasi on June 9 when militants attacked a bus carrying pilgrims from Shiv Khori to Katra. J&K Director General of Police R.R. Swain stressed the need to follow the cut-off timings for vehicles carrying pilgrims to the Valley and directed the security agencies to remain vigilant, adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs), and conduct regular training and drills.

Security agencies have made elaborate arrangements for patrolling, monitoring highways, and for night domination exercises. A three-tier security set-up is in place at the base camp in the Bhagwati Nagar area in Jammu, and special Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) have been constituted.

The Amarnath Yatra will be held for 52 days this year, with pilgrims in lakhs expected to trek from the twin base camps located in south and central Kashmir’s tourist places of Pahalgam and Sonmarg respectively.

The traditional Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district is 48 km long, and the Baltal route in Ganderbal district is 14 km. The cave shrine is located at an altitude of 13,000 feet.

Around 4.5 lakh pilgrims visited the cave shrine last year, and over 3.5 lakh pilgrims have registered for the pilgrimage till date this year. BJP leader Devender Singh Rana expressed confidence that people from all over the country will receive the blessings of Lord Shiva and get love and affection from J&K’s residents, as in every year.

Kolkata emerges as key source market for SOTC with 21% surge for premium destinations

SOTC Travel has released data on East India travel trends. Interestingly, the data highlights Kolkata’s position as a key source market for SOTC travel – with demand from not only the city, but also neighboring regions, powering the company’s growth trajectory.

The company is witnessing a strong demand uptick of 21% YoY for premium destinations including Europe (Switzerland, France, Spain, Portugal, and Scandinavia), Japan and South Korea.

West Bengal/Kolkata Travel Trends
• Increased travel intent in 2024: 21% YoY
• Desire for multiple trips: 25% higher compared to last year
• Higher spends: 15-20% compared to last year
• Top destinations
o Domestic: Kashmir, Ladakh, Chardham, Sikkim, Andamans, Bhutan & Sri Lanka
o International: Europe, Scandinavia, Vietnam, Bali, Singapore – Malaysia, Georgia, Japan
o New emerging: Azerbaijan & South Korea
• Strong demand for spiritual journeys and darshans – Ayodhya and Char Dham
• Unique preferences: high interest for experiential holidays, domestic cruises, safaris and biking trips
• Top customer segments: multi-generational families, millennials & Gen Z
• Top selling products: Bali Te Gurga Pujo – Bali, Osadharon Vietnam – Vietnam, Japan Ne Sarod Utsov – Japan, Asia Te Hoi Choi Songe Thailand – Singapore – Malaysia & Thailand, Bishyokor Purbo Europe – East Europe, Apurbo France O Swiss – France & Swiss Delight, Shundor Europe – Belgium – Swiss – Germany among others.

Daniel D’souza, President and Country Head – Holidays, SOTC Travel said “Kolkata continues to be one of our top source markets with an increase in demand of over 21% YoY from this region. The summer season has witnessed strong growth across both international and domestic destinations 23% vs last year.

What is interesting is that traditionally, travelers from West Bengal and East India used to spend time with their families during the Pujo season, whereas today’s travelers are clearly travelling –to celebrate the festival with their families. To cater to this growing demand we have introduced a specially designed Pujo portfolio with over 35 tours across group escorted tours and customised options.”

SOTC is an Indian-grown entrepreneurial brand with a legacy of 75 years, pioneering group escorted tours in the country. The Company firmly believes that today, ‘No one understands the Indian Traveller better than SOTC’

 

J&K committed to push golf tourism in Valley: Advisor

Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lt Governor of Jammu & Kashmir has said that the state administration is resolute to improve golf tourism in Kashmir Valley.

He said numerous steps have been taken so far while as many are in the queue to augment the sports infrastructure in J&K.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a sports event in Srinagar, RR Bhatnagar said golf is significant component of J&K’s tourism industry and Government is resolute in taking this sport stream to newer heights. “We are actively promoting golf and are taking steps to maintain our courses. Jammu and Kashmir is well-known for golf tourism, and the Government is committed to boost sports and developing the necessary infrastructure,” Bhatnagar said.

He said the Jammu & Kashmir have good and professional golf courses filled with natural beauty. “Today the tournament has been organized by WHS Group, in which several teams within India and outside are taking part. This will go a long way and will encourage golf tourism besides other streams of tourism in J&K,” he said.

He said the participants at the occasion not only enjoyed pristine beauty of golf courses but also came to know the warmth and hospitality of Kashmir. “We are promoting golf tourism in Kashmir. Every year professional Golf Tournament of India is holding tournaments in Kashmir. We hope it will go a long way in promoting tourism here,” he said.

Bhatnagar held that Jammu & Kashmir is well endowed for golf and adventure tourism. “Various steps have been taken to bring professional tournaments here and making courses as well,” he added.

“We have three international level golf courses in Kashmir Valley, while one in Sidhra Jammu. The Government is committed to promote golf tourism in J&K. In this regard sports infrastructure is being highly improved,” Bhatnagar said. (Source: Daily Excelsior)