Introduction

Indias Leading Tour operator

Kuoni-SOTC is Kuoni Indias key outbound travel brand. Kuoni-SOTC, Indias leading
outbound tour operator, was acquired by Kuoni Travels Worlds leading premium Tour
Operator in the year 1996 and is a leader in all travel segments namely Escorted Tours, Free
Individual Travel and Domestic Holidays amongst others. Kuoni-SOTC Corporate Tours is the
leader in Incentive, Trade Fair tours and Sports. We have served travelers for years and won their
smiles and hearts. SOTCs vast array of holiday services is taking holidaying to an entirely new
level.

Escorted Group Holidays

Kuoni-SOTC Escorted Group Tours pioneered the designing and marketing of escorted tours to
cosmopolitan travelers in India. Our tours have escorted lakhs of travelers across the globe for
more than 50 years to various destinations including Europe, Australia, New Zealand, USA,
Africa, Mauritius, South Asia, and the Southeast Asia. Being a 100% subsidiary of Kuoni Travel
Holding, Switzerland one of the worlds largest travel companies SOTC leverages the
advantage of the buying power and travel services to provide customers value-for-money
packages. SOTC endeavors to bring alive your dream holiday and ensures that you and your
family travels safe, sure and secure with the finest tour operator.
Budget tours designed by Kuoni-SOTC provide value for money to travelers without
compromising on sightseeing and basic holiday needs. Our Professional & experienced Tour
Managers take care of you while on tour.

The company has not only fully utilized the existing market potential but has also created new
markets through innovative packages namely Bhraman Mandal dedicated for the Marathi
speaking population and Gurjar Vishwadarshan dedicated for the Gujarati speaking population.

Customised Holidays
SOTC offers customised, tailor-made holidays around the world. On these customised holidays,
you travel only with your companion, your family and friends at your own pace. You can holiday
at an incredible range of destinations, fly the airline of your choice and stay at hotels of your
choice. You can opt for transfer in the luxury of your private car or enjoy meeting an
international mix of co-travelers on the seat-in-coach (SIC) transfers we offer. You can enjoy a
large variety of sightseeing options and excursions to experience and explore your holiday
destination. For the foodie in you, choose to experiment with the local cuisine or have an Indian
meal. With SOTC Customized Holidays, we offer you the means to plan your holiday, your way!

Holidays of India

Kuoni-SOTC Holidays of India has something for every kind of traveler be it families, youth,
students, honeymooners groups or individual for a holiday in India. SOTC Holidays of India
has a range of holiday options that cover every conceivable tour requirement. Whether it is an
extended vacation with the family, a paragliding spree with friends or simply a rejuvenating

weekend break, SOTC Holidays of India offers you an opportunity to visit and
explore all the splendors of India.
Kuoni-SOTC Holidays of India also offers a wide range of customised holidays thereby giving
individual travellers the complete freedom and flexibility to define their preference for the
destination, length of stay and pace of travel.

Corporate Tours

With Kuoni-SOTC Corporate Tours, all you have to do is to decide where you want your
employees or business partners to go for a travel incentive scheme and well take care of every
other tedious detail. We have a number of unique services to put you completely at ease. Our
international network will ensure that no matter where you are in the world, you will always get
the best of services.
Kuoni-SOTC is a specialist in MICE Tours. Kuoni-SOTC Corporate Tours provide customised
solutions for various MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events) related travel needs.
It will assist you at every stage of planning your travel including pre-tour familiarization visits,
booking of air seats, arranging accommodation at the finest hotels, gala dinners, collateral
preparation, technical back up, meal arrangements and event management. We ensure the highest
quality of service for your incentive programs, conference, meetings, across the globe.

Market

According to the World Travel and Trade Council, Indian tourism averaged
retrospectively from 2004 will grow 8.8% until 2013, making India the world's third fastest
growing tourist market. But what has taken the world by surprise is the emergence of the Global
Indian.That he has finally arrived is reflected in the fact that more than twenty countries have set
up tourist promotion boards in India. Countries as far apart as Seychelles, Malaysia, Spain,
Egypt, Hong Kong and New Zealand are competing with each other for the Indian tourist's time
and, more importantly, money. The reason for this interest in Indian tourists is not hard to find:
Indians have emerged as one of the highest spending communities. For instance, the Indian is the
highest spender in Singapore with an average daily expenditure of almost S$ 300 (Rs. 8400).
With the economy growing consistently at over 8%, increasing disposable incomes, a change in
spending habits, liberalisation of exchange controls, increasing affordability, holiday packages
and cheaper air fares, outbound tourist traffic has snowballed. It has been growing at an annual
average of around 25%. In 2007, about eight million Indian tourists ventured abroad. UNWTO
estimates the figure to reach about 50 million by 2020. Along with the rise in the number of
Indians travelling abroad, both the total and per capita expenditure abroad has been increasing.
According to the European Travel Commission, average spend per trip of Indian outbound
tourists has increased from US$ 611 (Rs. 24,440) in 2000 to US$ 822
(Rs. 32,880) in 2006. Similarly, Euromonitor International estimates the outgoing tourism
expenditure from India will grow to US$ 21 billion (Rs. 84,000 crore) by 2011, representing an
annual average increase of over 25.7% beginning 2006. A far-sighted holiday brand, SOTC the
outbound division of Kuoni Travel (India) Private Limited had anticipated this phenomenon
way back in 1976 when liberalisation was nothing more than a pipe dream. It is no surprise then,
that this early bird is perched comfortably as Indias largest operator in this segment and is twice

as large as its nearest competitor. With a distribution network of 140 sales

outlets, 3500 travel agents and a million loyal customers across India, SOTC is the king of the
outbound road
Sought after awards and accolades. It had received the Galileo express travel world award for
best national outbound tour operator, five times in a row, in 2008. Both air India and Kenya
airways have honored sotc for its outstanding contribution as the top revenue producer for the
airlines during 2006/07. In 2007 alone, it received the today's traveller leadership award for the
most successful travel company, the Cnbc Awaaz Travel award in the category of the most
preferred tour operator, the Gullivers travel associates trophy of achievement and the satte best
outbound tour operator award. In 2008 the tourism authority of Thailand conferred the amazing
Thailand champion agent award on sotc and tourism malaysia tied up with sotc for the great
Malaysia holiday bazaar a two-day event in july 2009. Sotc sport abroad was the tour partner
for kingfisher airlines for the dlf ipl 2009 and was also the official travel agent for icc world
twenty20 held in England.
Market Long years of travel restrictions had forced many Indians to become armchair travellers
resigned to getting second hand thrills from watching Bollywood heroes cavorting on Alpine
snows or romancing in Paris .The opening up of the Indian economy did not only bring to fore
the Indian spirit of entrepreneurship but it also turned Indians into serial travellers. That more
than twenty countries have set up tourism promotion boards in India is proof that the global
Indian holidaymaker has arrived and is now a force to be reckoned with. For instance, the Indian
is the highest spender in Singapore with an average daily expenditure of almost S$ 300 (Rs.
8400). Euromonitor International estimates that the outgoing tourism expenditure from India will

grow to US$ 21 billion (Rs. 100,800 crore) by 2011, representing an annual average increase of
over 25.70% between 2006 and 2011. Indian tourism itself averaged retrospectively from 2004
is slated to grow at 8.80% until 2013, making India the world's third fastest growing tourist
market in the world (Source: World Travel and Trade Council).

SOTC the outbound division of Kuoni Travel (India) Private Limited had anticipated this
phenomenon as far back as 1976 when liberalisation was not even a gleam in the collective
Indian eye.Today, it is India's No. 1 holiday brand and, at last count, was twice as large as its
nearest competitor. According to UNWTO international tourists are expected to number around
1.6 billion by the year 2020 (Source: UNWTO Tourism 2020 Vision). Of these a very
substantial percentage are expected to be Indians in search of relaxation or in quest of a new
place to explore.

Achievements
SOTC World Famous Tours has had a distinguished track record. SOTC's dedicated service to
ensure hiccup-free travel for thousands has been recognised by the world's most eminent travel
and tourism bodies who have showered it with the industry's most sought after awards and
accolades. It had received the Galileo Express Travel World Award for Best National Outbound
Tour Operator, five times in a row, in 2008. Both Air India and Kenya Airways have honored
SOTC for its outstanding contribution as the Top Revenue Producer for the airlines during
2006/07. In 2007 alone, it received the Today's Traveller Leadership award for the Most
Successful Travel Company, the CNBC Awaaz Travel award in the category of the Most

Preferred Tour Operator, the Gulliver's Travel Associates Trophy of Achievement and the SATTE
Best Outbound Tour Operator award. In 2008 the Tourism Authority of Thailand conferred the
Amazing Thailand Champion Agent award on SOTC and Tourism Malaysia tied up with SOTC
for the Great Malaysia Holiday Bazaar a two-day event in July 2009. SOTC
Sport Abroad was the tour partner for Kingfisher Airlines for the DLF IPL 2009 and was also the
official travel agent for ICC World Twenty20 held in England.

Company profile

History
The year 2009 marked the diamond jubilee for SOTC a company that began operations in 1949
from Cawasji Hormusji Street in Mumbai with just five employees. For the next 25 years the
company functioned from the same premises. By 1974 it was clocking annual turnover of more
than Rs. 2.50 crore (now US$ 520,000) and was ranked amongst the top ten travel agencies in
Mumbai.To accommodate its growing needs it moved to a larger office on Mint Road. The US
bicentennial celebrations in 1976 was a watershed year for SOTC; for that year the company
handled its first tour group.There has been no looking back since. In the next three years SOTC
had taken about 500 tourists to Europe, the US, Singapore and Japan.The success of these and
the positive feedback from its clients encouraged SOTC to make their tours more widely
known.The company began extensively advertising them in 1981. The 1983/95 phase was one of
uninhibited growth when the company leapfrogged over several competitors. Spurred by these

triumphs, SOTC moved to new premises in Churchgate. It was here that the
company installed its first computer to track sales and operations and metamorphosed into a
completely restructured organisation with autonomous strategic business units (SBUs).

Kuoni Travel Holding, Switzerland, acquired 100% equity in SOTC in May 1997. Now
supported by the powerful Kuoni brand, SOTC's flagship product World Famous Tours had
begun to offer a variety of travel choices to destinations across the world. By 2006 SOTC had
surged far ahead of competitors. To celebrate this, the company invited customers to 'Expect

More' from them more value, superior customer service, consistently better quality. The results
have been spectacular: SOTC has escorted over 400,000 passengers across the globe.Today, the
company has a distribution network comprising 71 sales outlets and 102 premium travel agents

Product
SOTC products are varied and designed to fulfill the needs of a cross-section of people. CostSaver Tours, Do-It-Yourself Holidays, Women's Tours, Sports Tours SOTC has all of them, and
more, on offer. Common to them are exciting holidays and the comfort of the finest hotels all
over the world, plus a group of carefully vetted families. The company's Cost Saver Tours have
been planned keeping in mind the budget of the traveller but without compromising on the
sightseeing and basic holiday needs.This fine balance of price and quality provides unmatched
value to the customer. SOTC's Do-It-Yourself Holidays, with highly innovative product
offerings, allow individual travellers the freedom to work out their own itinerary, at their own

pace.The company also offers a number of customised products for special

interest groups.These include SOTC Sport Abroad a unique product developed especially for
sports lovers by SOTC.The company's Trade Fairs and Corporate Tours offer an unmatched
package

for travels related to meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE). Realising that
sometimes ethnic groups find comfort in a common language and common traditions, SOTC
developed two special tours Bhraman Mandal for the Marathi-speaking tourist and Gurjar
Vishwadarshan for the Gujarati market. The company also realised the huge potential that exists
within India.To fulfill the needs of the India-bound traveller, SOTC created the Holidays of India
These allow every kind of traveller be it families, youth, students, honeymooners and groups
to experience the magnificence and grandeur of this vast country. SOTC Holidays of India
include holiday options
such as Classic Holidays, Fun-Filled Beaches, Hill Stations, Wildlife Holidays, Soft Adventures,
Wellness Holidays and Spiritual Retreats. All tour packages have the built in option to holiday
now and pay later.This simply means that travellers can have fun today and discharge their
financial obligations in convenient monthly installments.

Recent Developments
SOTC Holiday Bazaar, a consumer road show in seven cities across India, was a pioneering
event in the Indian tour operator market. In association with tourism boards, cruise liners and
airlines, the road show offered spectacular deals and prices. In order to increase customer access

points and enhance satisfaction through a contemporary IT-enabled ambience,

SOTC has successfully opened 47 outlets. Simultaneously
SOTC Gold launched a holiday package covering visits to the New Seven Wonders of the
World. Celebrity Mandira Bedi played brand ambassador and host for this innovative product.

Each year, SOTC creates a package of must see offerings each dripping with excitement and
promising fun for the entire family. The most recent of these value-added packages includes
three nights on a Mediterranean Cruise to Greece and Turkey plus one night in Athens worth Rs.
46,000 (US$ 1150) absolutely free when a traveller books the companys Grand Tour of Europe.
Similarly, theres a bonus offer of two additional nights in Helsinki, Finland, free including

meals and sightseeing on booking the Magnificent Europe tour; and a four-night Royal
Caribbean Cruise to the Bahamas for just US$ 99 (Rs. 3960) on booking the fifteen-day All of
USA package. SOTCs Boom-A Rang offer for Australia carries with it a bonus worth Rs. 56,000
(US$ 1400) of six exciting thrills and conveniences: a hot air balloon ride; a two-day stay at the
picturesque Blue

Mountains; a magnificent Zingara show; free upgrade to the finest deluxe hotels all over
Australia; an exciting ATV ride and a seaplane jaunt over Sydney. Keeping in tune with the
aspirations of SOTCs up market clientele, it has launched European Royale a luxurious
holiday experience with extraordinary standards in group holidaying.The tour experience

includes a gala dinner with cocktails right next to the Coliseum in Rome, a
horse-drawn carriage ride through Innsbruck, sipping champagne and a trip to Brugge.

Promotion
SOTC is an active participant in promoting tourism .Towards this end, it uses both conventional
media channels as well as below the-line promotions. But perhaps, its most vociferous support
comes from word-of-mouth endorsements from clients who have experienced SOTC's
hospitality. Periodically, it develops in conjunction with tourism boards and actively promotes a
destination in a show called SOTC Holiday Bazaar. The Great Singapore Holiday Bazaar, the
Great Malaysia Holiday Bazaar ,Thailand Holiday Bazaar and Hong Kong Holiday Bazaar held

across India have all been immensely successful. The brand also participates in various fairs and
travel-related events. Its participation in The Times Travel Fair, Times Lifestyle Fair, Times
Summer Fest in Mumbai, Times Lifestyle Fair Mumbai, India International Travel Mart in
Mumbai, Holiday Expo in Coimbatore, Travel & Tourism Fair Outbound Travel Mart, Times
Utsav across India and SATTE in New Delhi have all been enthusiastically supported by visitors.
SOTC believes that travel should be a sensory experience. The company provides readers a
glimpse into destinations through a superbly designed brochure printed with the highest
standards of quality. In addition, a quarterly newsletter, Let's Go, is a veritable goldmine of
information for customers, travel agents, business associates and loyalty programme members.

For a world increasingly comfortable with the internet, SOTC bundles this
same wealth of information on its website

Brand Values
SOTC is a people's company. It is driven by an urge that accepts that people dream and harbour
ambitions to travel and explore. This is the fuel that impels SOTC to make accessible the world's
most exotic destinations, at a price that makes the fulfillment of these dreams possible. The
company follows a policy of complete transparency, eschewing hidden costs and delivering a
product that travellers will remember. 'Expect More' is not just a slogan that sounds good when
rolled over the tongue. It is the soul of the company and is designed to encapsulate its brand
philosophy. At SOTC, when a traveller literally asks for more, he gets it.
2006 marked the birth of a new SOTC. The spirit of this event is best captured by the brand
positioning Expect More.
This is an articulation of a more contemporary expression of its brand philosophy .The
distinctive positioning commits the company to give to the customer more more value, superior
customer service, consistently better quality. The companys fundamental strengths form the
guiding principles by which it conducts its business. These include a commitment to making
worldwide travel accessible, being customer centric, making holidays affordable and bringing the
magic of travel to the customers doorstep. Being the pioneer and market leader in the travel
industry, SOTC believes in creating affordable, innovative value-based offers to suit the needs of

various travellers. Following price transparency and believing in offering the

best value in the market, with no hidden costs, has led to huge brand loyalty. For SOTC
employees keeping clients happy is part of the challenge; meeting their expectations is reward.

Things you didnt know about SOTC

SOTC was the first travel group to create a tour around the Seven New Wonders of the World It
was SOTC which first conceptualized a Holiday Bazaar The town of Engel berg in Switzerland
was renamed SOTC Indian Village in 1999 SOTC is the only Indian tour operator to be given the
prestigious Friends of Thailand award Cost Saver Tours were first introduced by SOTC Holiday
Now Pay Later was an SOTC initiative The concept of setting up franchisees of Holiday World
Outlets was introduced by SOTC to cater to the increasing demand of Indian travellers

Awards for Excellence

SOTC Voted The Best Outbound Tour Operator 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 SOTC has
been voted the Best Outbound Tour Operator 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 by the Galileo
Express Travel & Tourism Awards Committee. The Galileo Express Travel & Tourism awards
have been designed to give recognition to the trade for outstanding achievements during the year.
This award was based on various parameters of judgment and took into consideration factors
including revenue generated, operational efficiency, perceived service levels, and the ability to
retain and increase market share.

Other Major Awards:

Kuoni India wins the 2014 PATA Gold Award for Marketing Industry
Kuoni-SOTC wins the Best Foreign Tour Operator South Asia 2012 & 2013 Award by
Malaysian Tourism

Kuoni India MD honoured with Most Influential Persons Award by Outbound

Travel Mart (OTM)
Best Foreign Tour Operator South Asia for year 2012-13 by Malaysian Tourism

Kuoni India wins TAAI Travel Awards 2013 for Best Domestic Tour Operator

Kuoni India wins TAAI Travel Awards 2013 for Best Outbound Tour Operator

Kuoni India wins Todays Traveller Award 2012 for Best Outbound Tour Operator
SOTC wins the prestigious PowerBrands 2012 Award
Lonely Planet Magazine India Travel Awards 2012 to Kuoni India for the Best Tour Operator
Travel + Leisure India & South Asias Indias Best Award for Best Tour Operator India to Kuoni
India
5th Loyalty Awards for Customer & Brand Loyalty in Travel & Hospitality Sector to Kuoni
Travel Group, India
Kuoni Travel India Pvt. Ltd./ SOTC as a Sentosa Star Preferred Partner Sep 2011 to Aug 2012
TAAI Travel Awards 2011 for Most Outstanding Business Innovation Award to Kuoni-SOTC
7th Hospitality India and Explore the World Annual International Awards 2011 for The Best
Travel Company for Customer Satisfaction
CNBC Awaaz Travel awards 2011 for Most Preferred Tour Operator for Outbound Travel to
Kuoni & SOTC India
Todays Traveller Award for Best Outbound Tour Operator 2011 to Kuoni India

2009 Pacific Asia Travel Association Gold Award (PATA) award in the
Marketing Industry category.
2009 Leadership in Integrated Travel Operations at The Economic Times Travel Awards to
Kuoni India.
2009 Abacus-TAFI Award 2009 for Business Leadership in Tour Operating to Kuoni & SOTC
in the category Best Outbound Tour Operator.
2009 PATWA International Award 2009 to Kuoni for Best Travel Company of the year in India.
2009 Kuoni Travel Group, India wins the award for promoting South African Airways &
Tourism to South Africa.
2009 TTG Travel Awards 2009 for Best Travel Agency India.
2009 SOTC winner of CNTO Top 10 Travel Awards 2008 2009.
2009 Best Outbound Tour Operator for the year 2009 by Safari India.

2009 Consumer Super brands.

2009 Top Revenue Performer for the year April 2008- March 2009 by Kenya Airways.
2009 Certificate of Recognition by Cathay Pacific Airways to Kuoni India.
2009 Reliance General Insurance Outstanding Performance Award to Kuoni India.
2008 Todays Travellers Diamond Award to Kuoni India.
2008 Business Superbrands India Award for 2007 2008.
2008 Tourism Authority of Thailand conferred SOTC with Amazing Thailand Champion
Agent.
2008 Kuoni India was conferred with Appreciation of your support for Tourism New South
Wales Australia.

2007 Galileo Express TravelWorld Award for Best National Outbound Tour
Operator Award.
2006 / 2007 Air India Outstanding Contribution Passenger Sales India Region.
2006 / 2007 Top Revenue Producer for April 2006 March 2007 by Kenya Airways.
2007 Todays Traveller Leadership Award for the Most Successful Travel Company.
2007 CNBC Awaaz Travel Award 2007 in the category Most Preferred Tour Operator in June
07.
2007 GTA (Gullivers Travel Associates) Trophy of Achievement in April 2007.
2007 Consumer Superbrand India Award for 2006 2007.
2007 GTA (Gullivers Travel Associates) Trophy of Achievement in April 2007.
2007 SATTE Best Outbound Tour Operator Award.
2006 Galileo Express TravelWorld Award for Best National Outbound Tour Operator Award.
2006 / 2007 Certificate of Appreciation to SOTC HOI in recognition of being partners in
excellence 2006 2007.
2006 / 2007- Top Ten Agent Award by Air Mauritius 2006 2007.
2005 Galileo India Express Award for Best Outbound Tour Operator.
2005 Malaysian Airlines Gold Award for Outstanding Sales.
2005 Qantas High Flier Award.
2005 Top Revenue Producer for the financial year April 2005 March 2006 by Kenya
Airways.
2005 Air India Outstanding Passenger Sales.
2005 Austrian Award for Outstanding Performance.
2005 Business Superbrand.

2004 Galileo India Express Award for Best Outbound Tour Operator.
2004 Malaysia Tourism Award for Best Foreign Tour Operator.
2004 Singapore Tourism Board Award for Best Travel Experience in india.
2004 Star Cruises The Top Agents Award for 2004.
2004 Star Cruises Appreciation of Support for 2004.
2004 South African Airways Travel & Tourism Award.
2003 / 2004 Sri Lankan Airlines Bronze Award Passenger.
2003 / 2004 Qantas High Flyer Award.
2003 / 2004 Malaysia Airlines Gold Award for Outstanding Sales Achievement.
2003 Star Cruises Appreciation Award.
2003 Alitalia Outstanding Support and Sales Performance.
2002 / 2003 Sri Lankan Bronze Award Kuoni Travel (India) Pvt. Ltd.
2002 / 2003 Air India Outstanding Performance in Passenger sales.
2002 Regional Directors Tourism Award 3rd Position in Electric Parade.
2002 Malaysia Airlines Gold Award for Outstanding Sales Achievement.
2001 / 2002 Sri Lankan Gold Award.
2001 / 2002 Malaysia Airlines Gold Award for Outstanding Sales Achievement.
2001 / 2002 KLM Top Series Performance Award & Top Leisure Traffic Contributor.
2001 TAAIs Appreciation Award for Active Support.
2001 Le Meridian Top Producers for Outstanding Support.
2001 Star Cruises Agent Performance Awards Top Performing Agents 1st.
2000 Star Cruises to SOTC WFT for support to Star cruises.
2000 Friends of Thailand for International Tour Operator.

2000 Switzerland Tourism Key Account Award.

2000 / 2001 Sri Lankan Airways Bronze Top Agents Award.
1999 / 2000 Qantas Hi Flier Award.
1999 Award for Outstanding performance South Asia Region, at Worlds Travel Mart Global
Awards.

Our vision

Manifesto

SOTC types of Holidays

Customized holidays

Escorted Group Holidays

Gujrati Groups Holidays

Marathi Groups Holidays
Holiday of india
cruises