Thomas Cook launches special Durga Puja holiday package

Integrated travel and tour company Thomas Cook India on Thursday unveiled special international tour packages for the people of West Bengal during Durga Puja.

The company said there has been a 26 percent upsurge in holiday bookings from Kolkata on account of the festive season during Durga Puja and nearly 75 percent of the travellers booked their holidays almost two months in advance.

According to data from the company, there has been a surge in interest to travel to countries and territories like France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau.

However, destinations in Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, the Phillipines, Japan and South Korea have begun to draw the city's holiday-makers' interest recently.

"Durga Puja offers Bengalis an occasion to embrace emotive bonds by setting out on a group tour with their families," the company's head of outbound leisure travel Shibani Phadkar said in a statement.

"Our product team has curated specially designed packages that not only offer travellers an opportunity to celebrate Durga Puja but also explore international destinations," Phadkar said.

This year Durga Puja will be celebrated from October 20 to 23.