- We are delighted by the launch of Thomas Cook’s direct flights from Ahmedabad to Paro, making travel to Bhutan easier and more convenient for our friends in India: Carissa Nimah, Chief Marketing Officer, Department of Tourism, Bhutan
- Charter flights for Bhutan will leave Ahmedabad on May 4, 11 and 18 and depending on the demands of tourists more services will be operated
- Gujaratis displaying high year-round travel demand; unique experiences/destinations
- No visa is required but voters’ ID card or passport issued y the Indian Government are mandatory
- Growing demand for pilgrimages – Thomas Cook India expands Spiritual Tourism portfolio
NE HOSPITALITY BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, JAN 10
Thomas Cook (India) Limited on Wednesday announced the launch of special holiday packages and direct charter flights from Ahmedabad to Bhutan, set to begin in May 2025. This new initiative aims to fill a significant gap in travel connectivity, making it easier for Gujarati travellers to visit Bhutan without the need for connecting planes. Previously, travellers had to transit through Kolkata or New Delhi, facing layovers and multiple check-ins. The direct charter flights offer a smoother, more convenient travel experience.
Speaking with the media, Romil Pant, Executive Vice President & Business Head – Holidays, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “The launch of our special charter flights from Ahmedabad is a smart strategy to leverage the strong and growing interest for Bhutan. In the absence of commercial operations from Gujarat to Bhutan, our pioneering direct flights will fill a crucial market gap – offering a seamless travel experience for Gujarati travellers with unique Bhutan itineraries. Cuisine forms a very critical factor for Gujarati travellers, we have hence stationed our Gujarati chefs in Bhutan to ensure preparation of authentic Gujarati cuisine including vegetarian/Jain options.
Ahmedabad represents a strategic gateway, giving the Company increased access via a hub & spoke model, to the powerful regional source markets of Gujarat. In addition to our special Bhutan direct flights, our enhanced portfolio encompasses Spiritual Tours and Regional Tours (Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand)
We are very bullish on the powerful and strong growth market that Ahmedabad and Gujarat represent and expect a significant uptick from Gujarat in 2025.”
Charter flights for Bhutan will leave Ahmedabad on May 4, 11 and 18 and depending on the demands of tourists, more services will be operated, added Pant.
“We are delighted by the launch of Thomas Cook’s direct flights from Ahmedabad to Paro, making travel to Bhutan easier and more convenient for our friends in India. We’ve seen growing interest from Ahmedabad, and this new route provides the perfect opportunity for more travelers to discover Bhutan’s serene beauty, vibrant traditions, and timeless charm. It also deepens the cultural and personal ties between our two nations,” said Carissa Nimah, Chief Marketing Officer, Department of Tourism, Bhutan.
The six-night and seven-day itinerary is specially crafted to cater to globe-trotting Gujarati travellers, incorporating unique Bhutanese experiences alongside authentic Gujarati cuisine. Highlights of the trip include archery, a riverside lunch in Punakha, traditional Bhutanese attire, and cultural performances in Thimphu. Gujarati chefs will be stationed in Bhutan to ensure the availability of vegetarian and Jain food options, addressing the specific culinary preferences of the travellers. A Gujarati-speaking tour manager will accompany the group to ensure comfort throughout the journey.
Bhutan, known as the world’s first carbon-negative country, offers stunning natural landscapes, iconic monasteries, and a rich cultural heritage. The direct charter flights from Ahmedabad provide an opportunity for travellers to experience Bhutan’s serene beauty and vibrant traditions more easily. This initiative will strengthen Thomas Cook’s leadership in the Indian outbound travel market and cater to the growing demand for travel to Bhutan, particularly from Gujarat.
Thomas Cook (India) Limited – India’s leading omnichannel travel services company. has 10 outlets across 5 cities in Gujarat. Top source markets include Ahmedabad, Baroda, Surat and Rajkot. Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, Anand and Mehsana are displaying noteworthy growth from Gujarat’s emerging tier 2 and 3 cities.
Expanded its Spiritual Journeys portfolio
Thomas Cook’s spiritual tourism segment is witnessing an exponential growth – over 100% YoY for circuits like Char Dham, Ayodhya, Rameswaram, Amritsar, Varanasi and Prayagraj; Ramayana trails in Sri Lanka. While historically India’s seniors/Gen S comprised a key segment for spiritual tours, the Company is seeing strong demand from multigenerational families, honeymooners/couples, millennials/Gen Z.
Special Gujarati regional/festive group departures like Albelu Europe, Aneru Europe, Adhbhut Asia with an experienced Thomas Cook Gujarati-speaking Tour Manager, comfort of Gujarati, vegetarian/Jain food preferences on tour.
Read also
After visiting Gujarat, Bhutanese PM optimistic about strengthening Bhutan-Bharat friendship ties
