Maharashtra continues to be one of Thomas Cook India’s strongest source markets, driven by rising disposable incomes, increasing travel aspirations and growing demand for both domestic and international holidays. Strengthening its commitment to serving customers across the state, Thomas Cook (India) Limited has inaugurated a new outlet in Kolhapur, further enhancing accessibility to its comprehensive portfolio of travel services.
The launch marks an important milestone in the company’s regional expansion strategy, taking its presence to two outlets in Kolhapur and 29 locations across Maharashtra. By expanding its footprint in one of the state’s fastest-growing Tier-2 markets, Thomas Cook India aims to bring personalised travel expertise and end-to-end holiday solutions closer to customers in the region.
Known as a prominent commercial and cultural centre in southern Maharashtra, Kolhapur is witnessing increasing demand for premium and experience-led travel. The city’s growing affluence, entrepreneurial ecosystem and evolving consumer preferences have contributed to a strong appetite for leisure travel among families, young professionals, couples, senior citizens and business travellers alike. The new outlet is strategically positioned to cater not only to customers from Kolhapur but also from neighbouring towns and catchment markets across the region.
The outlet offers Thomas Cook India’s complete range of travel services, including international and domestic holidays, escorted group tours, customised vacations, cruise holidays and value-added services such as travel insurance. Customers can also benefit from the company’s AI-powered booking platform, which enables real-time itinerary planning, availability checks and reservations, helping travellers create personalised holiday experiences with greater convenience and speed.
Travel trends emerging from Kolhapur and the wider Maharashtra market reflect a growing preference for diverse and immersive experiences. Europe continues to remain a favourite among outbound travellers, with destinations such as Switzerland, France, Germany, Spain and Scandinavia attracting significant interest. Asian destinations including Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia are also witnessing strong demand.
Closer to home, destinations such as Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh, the Northeast, Rajasthan, Kerala and West Bengal remain popular choices for domestic travellers, while neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka continue to attract growing interest.
Pilgrimage and spiritual tourism represent another key trend, with travellers increasingly choosing journeys to Char Dham, Kailash Mansarovar, Nepal and Ramayan Trail experiences in Sri Lanka. At the same time, customers are showing greater willingness to explore emerging destinations such as the Philippines, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Morocco, South Africa and Kenya, reflecting the growing sophistication and confidence of Indian travellers.
The region’s travel demand is being driven by a broad spectrum of customer segments, including multi-generational families, couples, millennials, Gen Z travellers and senior citizens, each seeking customised experiences that align with their interests and lifestyles.
Commenting on the expansion, Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, said: “Kolhapur has been emerging strongly as an important source market for us in Maharashtra, with growing travel aspirations across diverse customer segments. The launch of our new outlet in the city reflects our strategic focus on strengthening our presence across high-potential Tier-2 markets and reinforces our commitment to customers from Kolhapur and its surrounding catchments. Strategically located, the outlet offers customers seamless access to Thomas Cook India’s extensive portfolio of domestic and international holidays, along with value-added services. On behalf of my team, I extend a warm welcome to our customers from Kolhapur. My team and I look forward to co-curating memorable holiday experiences for our customers across India and around the world.”
The opening of the Kolhapur outlet reinforces Thomas Cook India’s ongoing focus on regional expansion and customer accessibility. By combining local market presence with innovative technology, personalised service and a diverse range of travel offerings, the company continues to support the evolving aspirations of travellers across Maharashtra while strengthening its position as a trusted travel partner for journeys within India and beyond.