BREAKING NEWS : THOMAS COOK INDIA & SOTC TRAVEL SIGN STRATEGIC MOU WITH GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU

BREAKING NEWS : THOMAS COOK INDIA & SOTC TRAVEL SIGN STRATEGIC MOU WITH GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU

(Announcement of long-term partnership to unlock the State’s tourism market potential)

TTT NEWS NETWORK

MUMBAI | 2 FEBRUARY 2026

Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company and its group company SOTC Travel, has signed a strategic long-term Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Guidance, the nodal agency of the Government of Tamil Nadu (GoTN), and The Directorate of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu. The partnership aims to accelerate tourism-related visitation to Tamil Nadu by jointly developing enriched travel products, enhancing destination awareness and delivering seamless, elevated experiences for Indian travellers.

The MOU was signed on February 2, 2026, by Mr. Abraham Alapatt, President & Group Head – Marketing, Service Quality, Value Added Services & Innovation, Thomas Cook (India) Limited and SOTC Travel, Dr. Darez Ahamed, IAS, Managing Director & CEO – Guidance Tamil Nadu, and Ms. J. Innocent Divya, IAS, Commissioner of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu at the Tamil Nadu Global Tourism Summit 2026 in Mahabalipuram.

This strategic collaboration combines Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel’s pan-India market leadership and expertise across leisure, MICE, business and B-Leisure segments with Tamil Nadu’s diverse tourism offerings. The partnership will drive sustained visitation through co-created products, integrated marketing and targeted consumer activations, supported by knowledge-sharing and training initiatives. Working closely with the Department of Tourism, the companies will promote Tamil Nadu’s cultural, spiritual, wellness, nature and experiential offerings through online and offline campaigns, with Guidance Tamil Nadu acting as the nodal agency to facilitate coordination, stakeholder engagement and alignment with the State’s long-term tourism and destination-branding strategy.

Mr. Rajeev Kale – President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa –Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Tamil Nadu is one of India’s most compelling and culturally rich destinations, offering an exceptional spectrum of experiences—from heritage and spirituality to wellness, nature, cuisine and contemporary urban culture. Through our strategic MOU with the Government of Tamil Nadu, we are delighted to partner in strengthening the State’s tourism proposition for the domestic market. Leveraging our omnichannel reach, powerful customer segments and deep market expertise, we aim to co-create distinctive products, enhance awareness, and drive sustainable visitation across leisure, MICE and business travel segments.”

Mr. SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours – SOTC Travel said, “We are pleased to collaborate with the Government of Tamil Nadu to unlock the State’s immense tourism potential. Tamil Nadu’s diverse offerings resonate strongly with evolving Indian traveller preferences—not only from metro markets, but also from Tier 2 and 3 cities. Our partnership will focus on innovative product development, education and training initiatives, and integrated marketing to elevate destination visibility and deliver enriching, experience-led travel for our customers, while creating long-term value for the State’s tourism ecosystem.”