Thomas Cook and SOTC Travel’s First Bengaluru to Bhutan Charter Achieves Full Capacity

On April 29, 2024, Thomas Cook (India) Limited informed the stock exchanges that the company and SOTC Travel had achieved a noteworthy milestone with their inaugural charter taking off from Bengaluru to Paro (Bhutan) at 100% capacity on April 27, 2024. This exceptional delivery highlights the strong demand from Karnataka for premium destination experiences.

After the announcement of their ground-breaking Bhutan charters, ex-Bengaluru, Thomas Cook and SOTC Travel have noticed a surge in demand for the Himalayan Kingdom. This has resulted in a 100% booking status for all its charters of April 27, May 4 and May 11. Thomas Cook and SOTC have also launched two extra charters for May 18 and 25, 2024, to leverage this strong and growing demand.

Thomas Cook and SOTC identify South India as an important market, contributing more than 50% to Bhutan’s business, with significant growth potential. Launching special charters from Bengaluru to Bhutan addresses the challenge of limited air connectivity, offering its customers convenience and cost-effectiveness. The companies’ charters cater to different traveller preferences, with unique experiences appealing to families, friends, couples, and young India.

The President and Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, Mr Rajeev Kale, said, “We are delighted with the overwhelming response from our consumers across Karnataka and the Southern region – resulting in a sold-out status of our inaugural Bhutan charter flight! This has given us the confidence to operate two additional charters on 18th and 25th May.”

He further added, “We had handpicked Bengaluru airport as the hub/gateway for this initiative based on 3 clear opportunities: 1. Karnataka is our top source market 2. The high demand for consumers for unique destinations-experiences 3. The absence of direct connectivity for Bhutan from South India. What is noteworthy is that all our flights are currently at a 100% booking position – reflecting a resounding success of our pioneering Bhutan Charter strategy.”

Commenting on this initiative, Chief Marketing Officer of the Department of Tourism Bhutan, Carissa Nimah, said, “This is a wonderful initiative from Thomas Cook India & SOTC, as the flight will help to boost tourism and foster closer ties between India and Bhutan. Through this charter flight, Bhutan becomes more accessible to travellers eager to explore Bhutan’s unique culture and stunning landscapes, driving economic growth and cultural exchange. We see a lot of demand to visit Bhutan from the southern states of India, and a direct flight is a wonderful opportunity to simplify the journey for the guests.”

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