Thomas Cook (India) Limited and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have signed a strategic joint-venture (JV) agreement with Tourism New Zealand that intends to boost demand to New Zealand during the destination's Winter Season - June to August. The JV agreement was signed by Gregg Wafelbakker - General Manager Asia, Tourism New Zealand, Rajeev Kale - President & Country Head, Thomas Cook (India) Limited and SD Nandakumar - President & Country Head - Holidays & Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel. The partnership extends across key pivots of product development and strategic marketing, while leveraging Thomas Cook and SOTC Travel's domain expertise and extensive consumer base - from multi-generational families, couples, working professionals to Young India's millennials and GenZ - across India's metros, mini-metros and Tier 2 & 3 markets.
With New Zealand's winter coinciding with India's peak vacation season, the JV intends to showcase New Zealand's winter-wonderland and unique experiences to India's discerning travellers. The benefits of off-peak travel (between June to August), includes increased supply-capacity leading to better pricing and special offers, fewer crowds/queues that allow exploration of New Zealand at leisure and in a more sustainable manner. Winter showcases New Zealand in a fascinating new light - with stunning snow-capped vistas and a diversity of exciting experiences like snowboarding, skiing, heli-hiking and trekking, together with its famed geothermal hot springs.
Being the peak migration season, whale-watching adventures are aplenty; also stargazing at the renowned Dark Sky Reserve or aurora chasing the spectacular Southern Lights. For thrill seekers, New Zealand's adventure capital (Queenstown) offers skydiving, ziplining, paragliding, bungee and the world's largest human catapult! Winter in New Zealand also offers a scenic TranzAlpine train journey, a nomad safari through Lord of the Rings locations, or a breathtaking winter cruise through Milford Sound.
