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

The MoU was signed on February 2, 2026, at the Tamil Nadu Global Tourism Summit 2026 held in Mahabalipuram. The agreement was formalised 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.

This strategic collaboration brings together Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel’s strong pan-India presence and expertise across leisure, MICE, business and B-Leisure travel segments with Tamil Nadu’s diverse tourism offerings. The partnership focuses on co-creating differentiated travel products, integrated marketing campaigns, and targeted consumer activations to drive sustained tourism growth across the State.

Working closely with the Department of Tourism, the collaboration will promote Tamil Nadu’s cultural, spiritual, wellness, nature and experiential tourism offerings through a mix of online and offline initiatives. Guidance Tamil Nadu will act as the nodal agency to ensure effective coordination, stakeholder engagement and alignment with the State’s long-term tourism development and destination branding strategy.

Commenting on the partnership, 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, added, “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.”

The partnership marks a significant step towards strengthening Tamil Nadu’s position as a preferred domestic travel destination while supporting sustainable tourism growth and long-term economic development.