Thomas Cook (India) Limited and its group company SOTC Travel have unveiled their inaugural Business Travel Report 2026, providing comprehensive insights into India's evolving corporate travel landscape. The report, released on February 23, 2026, draws from responses of 25+ leading enterprises across multiple sectors and internal booking data to present a detailed analysis of current business travel trends.

Key Survey Findings

The two-month survey conducted across enterprises in BFSI, manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, conglomerates and professional services sectors reveals significant insights into corporate travel patterns and priorities.

Business Travel Demand and Technology Integration

The report indicates strong resilience in business travel demand, with 95% of respondents projecting stable-to-growth spending patterns. Only 5% anticipate a decline in travel volumes, while 30% expect stability. Client meetings, sales-related travel and internal business-critical movement continue to drive primary demand.

More than 70% of corporates are increasing reliance on digital tools for booking, approvals, expense management and MIS reporting. This technological shift enables improved visibility, policy compliance and data-backed decision-making across business travel programs.

Travel Patterns and Cost Pressures

Domestic travel accounts for 72% of corporate travel, with key business hubs including Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune remaining critical for business activities. International destinations show preference for Singapore, Thailand, Hong-Kong, Maldives, Dubai-Abu Dhabi, UK, Italy, Netherlands, USA, South Africa and Australia, with China and Japan emerging as strong contenders.

A significant 80% of respondents reported increases in Average Ticket Prices over the past year. The cost breakdown shows 36% witnessing rises exceeding 15%, while 45% reported moderate increases of 5-15%, prompting tighter controls and advance booking mandates.

Policy Evolution and Compliance Challenges

Close to 60% of corporates are tightening or revisiting travel policies, implementing renegotiation of airline and hotel contracts, supplier rationalization and stricter approval workflows. The growing Bleisure trend, where 68% of corporates report employees extending business trips for personal time, is prompting policy reassessments and clearer cost-sharing guidelines.

GST-related complexities continue impacting business travel programs, with over 55% highlighting challenges around compliance and input tax credit optimization, particularly for air travel and hotel stays.

Leadership Perspective

Indiver Rastogi, President & Group Head, Global Business Travel, Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel, emphasized the report's comprehensive view of corporate travel strategy recalibration. The company has introduced innovations including Dhruv.ai, a voice-enabled AI advisor, and TravelOne, an integrated booking and management platform to support technology-enabled travel ecosystems.

Company Background

Established in 1881, Thomas Cook (India) Limited operates as the leading omnichannel travel company offering services including Foreign Exchange, Corporate Travel, MICE, Leisure Travel, and Visa Services. The company spans 28 countries across 5 continents and has received multiple industry recognitions including MICE Powerhouse at MaxiiMICE Awards 2025 and various Economic Times Travel & Tourism Awards. CRISIL has assigned 'CRISIL AA/Stable' rating on long-term bank facilities and 'CRISIL A1+' on short-term facilities, representing the highest rating for a travel and tourism company in India.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited's wholly owned subsidiary Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited announced the launch of Sterling Avante Mohali on February 17, 2026, marking the company's strategic expansion into Punjab's dynamic Tricity corridor. The new hotel targets the growing corporate travel and events market in the region.

Strategic Location and Market Positioning

Sterling Avante Mohali is strategically positioned in TDI City, Sector 117, capitalizing on Mohali's emergence as a key business hub within the Chandigarh Tricity region. The hotel is designed specifically for corporate travel, conferences, and celebration-led stays, addressing the increasing demand from enterprise activity and strong connectivity infrastructure in the area.

Hotel Facilities and Amenities

The hotel offers contemporary accommodations and comprehensive event infrastructure designed to serve both business and leisure travelers. Key facilities include modern rooms and suites with reliable service standards, and events-ready infrastructure that can accommodate various functions from boardroom meetings to large celebrations.

The dining experience centers around Essence, the all-day restaurant, which provides a versatile setting for business meals, hosted dinners, and celebratory gatherings. The menu combines Indian favorites with regional touches and global staples, catering to diverse guest preferences.

Event and Conference Capabilities

The hotel's event offerings are anchored by the Crystal Banquet Hall, specifically designed to transition smoothly across different function types. The facility can accommodate corporate conferences, product launches, weddings, and social functions, supported by Sterling's experienced operations and culinary teams.

Management Commentary

Vikram Lalvani, Managing Director & CEO of Sterling Holiday Resorts, highlighted the strategic importance of the Mohali location. He emphasized that Mohali represents one of India's most exciting new-age cities, characterized by commercial vibrancy, strong connectivity, and growing importance for business travel and celebrations.

Maninder Singh Marwah, Director of Shining Star Hospitality, noted Mohali's emergence as a natural extension of the Chandigarh Tricity's business and events ecosystem. He expressed confidence in Sterling's operating capabilities and nationwide network to meet the evolving needs of business travelers and event organizers.

Sterling Holiday Resorts Portfolio

With the Mohali launch, Sterling Holiday Resorts continues building its balanced portfolio across resorts, leisure hubs, spiritual destinations, and business-forward hotels. The company currently operates over 3,700 keys across 59 unique destinations throughout India.

The company maintains presence across popular destinations including Alleppey, Amritsar, Coorg, Corbett, Darjeeling, Goa, Manali, Mussoorie, Ooty, Shimla, and Udaipur, among others, offering comprehensive hospitality solutions across leisure and business segments.