Thomas Cook (India) Limited's subsidiary, Sterling Holiday Resorts, has announced the launch of Sterling Ameris Kasauli, marking its fifth resort in Himachal Pradesh. This strategic expansion underscores the company's commitment to growth in key leisure destinations across India.

Resort Highlights

Sterling Ameris Kasauli is positioned as a boutique retreat that celebrates the timeless charm of Kasauli. The resort features:

• Shivalik-facing rooms with private sit-outs
• Contemporary mountain chic design with natural elegance
• A pure-vegetarian restaurant, Valley View, offering local classics with a modern twist
• A terrace that transforms from a yoga deck to an open-air lounge

Strategic Location and Accessibility

The new property is located along the scenic Dharampur–Kasauli Road, offering easy access for travelers:

• Short drive from Chandigarh and Delhi NCR
• Ideal for quick getaways and mindful mountain living

Expansion Strategy

Vikram Lalvani, Managing Director & CEO of Sterling Holiday Resorts, commented on the company's growth strategy:

"Sterling Ameris Kasauli reflects our intent to grow with purpose — expanding into destinations that embody serenity, design, and discovery. As travel evolves from movement to meaning, Sterling is reimagining how guests experience journeys — not as isolated stays, but as connected stories."

Branded Experiences

Sterling is focusing on creating curated circuits that link destinations:

• 'What a Trip' branded circuits connect Kasauli, Chail, Shimla, and Kufri
• Designed for both short and long-haul travelers
• Aims to create a more immersive and seamless travel ecosystem across India

Partnership and Local Integration

The resort is a result of a partnership with Satvik Bliss Pvt. Ltd. Madhav Gupta, Director of Satvik Bliss, emphasized the alignment with Sterling's vision:

"Partnering with Sterling was a natural choice — their deep understanding of India's leisure segment, regional presence, and ability to blend local character with national scale make them an ideal collaborator."

Sterling's Growing Footprint

With this addition, Sterling Holiday Resorts now boasts:

• Five resorts in Himachal Pradesh (Chail, Kasauli, Kufri, Shimla, and Manali)
• A presence in over 45 destinations across India

This expansion aligns with Sterling's strategy to offer diverse and immersive travel experiences tailored to today's explorers, further solidifying its position in India's hospitality sector.

As Sterling Holiday Resorts continues to expand its portfolio, investors may want to monitor the potential impact on Thomas Cook (India) Limited's performance in the leisure and hospitality segment.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited , a leading travel services company, has taken a significant step towards enhancing the tourism experience in India. The company has entered into a three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Tourism, aimed at improving tourist experiences across various Indian destinations.

Collaborative Effort for Tourism Enhancement

The partnership between Thomas Cook India and the Ministry of Tourism is set to revolutionize the way tourist feedback is collected and utilized. Under this agreement, real-time traveller feedback will be gathered on several crucial aspects of the tourism experience, including:

• Cleanliness
• Safety
• Accessibility
• Service standards
• Overall visitor satisfaction

This data will be collected through co-branded, Ministry-standardised feedback forms integrated across Thomas Cook's platforms. The aggregated information will then be shared with the Ministry of Tourism, providing valuable insights to support improvements in tourism infrastructure and service delivery.

Leveraging Technology for Better Tourism

By implementing this real-time feedback system, Thomas Cook India and the Ministry of Tourism are leveraging technology to address the evolving needs of tourists. This initiative is expected to play a crucial role in identifying areas for improvement and enhancing the overall quality of tourism services in India.

Positive Outlook for Indian Tourism

The partnership comes at a time when India's tourism sector is poised for significant growth. According to projections:

• The tourism sector is expected to grow by 9.60% by 2028
• International arrivals are anticipated to reach 30.50 million by 2030

This collaborative effort between Thomas Cook India and the Ministry of Tourism aligns well with these growth projections, potentially contributing to a more robust and visitor-friendly tourism ecosystem in India.

Implications for Stakeholders

This partnership is likely to benefit various stakeholders in the tourism industry:

1. Tourists: Will have a direct channel to provide feedback, potentially leading to improved experiences.
2. Tourism Ministry: Gains access to real-time data to inform policy decisions and infrastructure improvements.
3. Thomas Cook India: Strengthens its position in the market through a strategic partnership with the government.
4. Local businesses and service providers: May see improvements in their operations based on the feedback-driven enhancements.

As this initiative unfolds, it will be interesting to see how it impacts the quality of tourism services and visitor satisfaction across Indian destinations. The partnership between Thomas Cook India and the Ministry of Tourism represents a forward-thinking approach to leveraging data for the betterment of the tourism industry in India.