TCIL LAUNCHES CITY BREAKS
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Thomas Cook (India) Ltd (TCIL) has launched its new innovative product, ‘City Breaks’– focussing on viable emerging segments: the business traveller and the time-poor Indian, hungry for a quick, convenient trip planner- to explore a city rather than merely visit or transit. Thomas Cook’s internal research revealed that almost 75 per cent of its outbound individual segment travels on business; with potential growth of 35 per cent annually.
While the intent of such travel is functional and focussed around business, almost 85 per cent respondents indicated a willingness to extend their trip to discover the pulse of the city and its surrounds. Further, for the time-poor Indian consumer, holiday opportunities that are quick, convenient and value centric are gaining strong momentum.
Starting with a two night stay, Thomas Cook’s City Breaks offer a quick post-business getaway, or with the extension of a diversity of add-ons, a luxurious long vacay- and the added advantage of having spouse, family or friends join up as well!
With accommodation, transfers and must-do sightseeing included, the basic ground work is in place for a city sojourn that can be personalised at will. And City Breaks is aimed at not just the business traveller, but alluring enough as a great trip planner for India’s Gen-Y, Gen-S, the woman traveller, the honeymooner; equally ad hoc groups of friends or family. For the true blue explorer, Thomas Cook even offers the option of clubbing two or more cities per trip.
A unique element to each City Break is the master touch -“Thomas Cook Suggests”- an insider secret that helps travellers experience a city in a new light. Apart from the itinerary and add-ons, the Thomas Cook’s City Breaks catalogue also features valuable tips such as country information and local currency.
Commenting on the announcement of City Breaks, Shibani Phadkar, Senior Vice President & Head - Leisure Travel (Outbound) Products, Contracting, Operations & Tour Management, TCIL said, “Compact, quick, engaging yet flexible holidays are the need of the hour and that is exactly what our innovative City Breaks is all about. The Indian traveller of today is keen to step out of the boundaries of a structured itinerary and spontaneously explore a destination at will. And our City Breaks offer a great fit: bite size options with great flexibility and a delightful diversity of add-ons. 2014 is filled with long weekends, and our City Breaks offers impactful trip planners for the intrepid Indian traveller: business executives extending work trips with leisure experiences or holiday makers looking for weekend getaways! Thomas Cook invented the holiday package in 1841, and we continue to reinvent the holiday today.”