Thomas Cook (India) Limited announced on August 28, 2026, that its wholly owned subsidiary, Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, has launched Sterling Naman Bastar in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh.

The new property marks the company's 80th resort in India, expanding its footprint beyond established hill stations into emerging cultural and nature destinations.

Entering Chhattisgarh

Located on Chitrakote Road in Jagdalpur, the 45-room Sterling Naman Bastar is spread across approximately 3.21 acres. It is the first property in Jagdalpur to operate under a national hospitality brand. The resort offers rooms across five categories, including garden-facing rooms, spacious suites, and a private pool villa.

The location serves as a gateway to the Bastar region, known for its waterfalls, forests, caves, and tribal culture. Key attractions include Chitrakote and Tirathgarh Falls and the limestone caves of Kanger Valley. Jagdalpur's airport provides direct air connectivity with Hyderabad and Raipur, improving accessibility for urban travellers.

Destination Architect Strategy

Sterling described the launch as part of its Destination Architect philosophy, which focuses on understanding a location's distinctive character to develop connected travel experiences. Vikram Lalvani, Managing Director & CEO of Sterling Holiday Resorts, stated that the strategy aims to introduce travellers to under-discovered regions like Bastar by providing a comfortable hospitality base.

Jayesh Sangani and Rachit Sangani, owners of Sterling Naman Bastar Jagdalpur (a unit of Dishi Resort Pvt. Ltd.), noted that the partnership combines local regional knowledge with Sterling's brand reach and distribution expertise.

Portfolio Overview

Sterling Holiday Resorts operates in more than 66 unique destinations across India with over 3,800 keys currently operational. The company remains a 100% independently managed subsidiary of Thomas Cook (India) Limited and is part of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited.

The launch of Sterling Naman Bastar adds to the company's network, aiming to provide integrated journeys across emerging micro-markets.

Thomas Cook and its group company SOTC Travel have launched a curated portfolio of Fall and Winter holiday packages targeting Indian travellers. The move responds to shifting consumer preferences towards year-round travel calendars and experiential journeys beyond the traditional summer window.

The companies highlighted growing interest in destinations across Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. This shift follows a period where geopolitical uncertainty impacted summer travel plans to Europe, prompting travellers to seek alternative seasonal windows.

Destination Focus

The new offerings emphasize immersive experiences tailored to specific seasons. Key highlights include:

• Arctic Adventures: Northern Lights viewing in Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland, combined with activities like husky sledding and stays in glass-ceilinged igloos.
• Festive Europe: Christmas markets and cultural celebrations in France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the UK, and the Czech Republic.
• Alpine Escapes: Scenic rail journeys, winter sports, and mountain stays in the Alps.
• North America: Winter landscapes in Canada’s Rockies and festive experiences in the USA, including New York’s holiday season.
• Southern Hemisphere: New Year celebrations, wildlife encounters, and outdoor adventures in Australia and New Zealand for travellers seeking sunshine from September to January.

Executive Commentary

Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa at Thomas Cook (India) Limited, noted that travel is increasingly defined by the experience a destination offers at a particular time of year. He stated that the company is seeing a clear shift towards holidays that are richer and more immersive, with travellers willing to explore beyond conventional winter destinations.

S.D. Nandakumar, President and Country Head – Holidays and Corporate Tours at SOTC Travel Limited, added that the winter holiday is evolving from a standard itinerary into a carefully curated experience. He observed that demand is diverse, with couples seeking romantic escapes, families combining festivities with adventure, and younger travellers seeking experiences beyond the conventional circuit.

What the Numbers Show

While no financial figures were disclosed in this press release, the strategic pivot indicates a dependency on non-traditional travel windows to sustain volume. The explicit mention of geopolitical uncertainty affecting summer plans suggests that Fall and Winter offerings are being positioned not just as diversification, but as a necessary buffer against regional instability in primary European markets during peak summer months.