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In a strategic move to strengthen its presence in emerging travel markets, Thomas Cook (India) Limited has opened its first travel outlet in Gwalior. The new branch marks an important milestone for the company as it expands its network in Madhya Pradesh, taking its total number of outlets in the state to six.
The expansion reflects the company’s focus on tapping into high-potential cities that are witnessing growing travel demand. With this new outlet, residents of Gwalior and nearby regions will have easier access to a wide range of travel services, including customised holiday packages, group tours, visa assistance, and travel planning.
Gwalior’s strategic location and its proximity to Delhi have contributed to increasing travel interest among residents. Popular domestic destinations such as Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh, and other northern regions continue to attract travellers from the area. The new outlet aims to cater to a diverse group of customers—from budget-conscious holidaymakers to premium travellers looking for personalised and curated experiences.
Travel patterns in Madhya Pradesh are also evolving. Short leisure trips that previously lasted around three days are now extending to five to eight days, while longer holidays are increasing from about five days to nearly two weeks. This shift highlights a growing interest among travellers to explore destinations more deeply and enjoy richer travel experiences.
International travel preferences among consumers from the state include destinations such as Japan, South Korea, and several European countries including Switzerland, France, Germany, and Spain-Portugal. Countries like Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Hong Kong also remain popular choices. Meanwhile, domestic destinations such as Leh-Ladakh, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, and the North-East continue to attract strong demand.
Another emerging trend is the rising popularity of cruise vacations, as travellers increasingly seek all-inclusive and experience-driven holidays. Adventure tourism and experiential travel are also gaining traction, with activities such as witnessing the Northern Lights in Scandinavia, self-drive tours, island holidays in Maldives and Mauritius, and adventure trips to Ladakh and the North-East drawing attention.
Spiritual tourism is another growing segment, with destinations such as Char Dham, Ayodhya-Prayagraj, and Kailash Mansarovar attracting pilgrims. Additionally, new international destinations including Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Morocco are gradually gaining popularity among Indian travellers.
According to Rajeev Kale, President and Country Head – Holidays, MICE and Visa at Thomas Cook (India) Limited, Madhya Pradesh remains an important source market for the company. He stated that the launch of the first outlet in Gwalior will help the company strengthen its reach and better serve travellers in the region by offering easy access to travel services and customised holiday solutions.
With the opening of this new outlet, the company aims to further connect with travellers across different segments, including multi-generational families, couples, millennials, Gen Z, and senior travellers. The expansion also reflects the broader growth of India’s travel industry, as more people seek meaningful travel experiences both within the country and abroad.