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While much has been said about India’s young demographic, the country’s senior population is also experiencing unprecedented growth, with those aged 60 and over projected to reach 347 million by 2050, accounting for 21 per cent of the total population (PwC-ASLI Senior Care Report 2024 and UNFPA 2023). Recognising this significant demographic shift and the rising aspirations of the 55+ community, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company, is strengthening its focus on this high-potential segment.
India’s senior travellers today have both time and financial resources to travel. A strengthened economy has boosted spending power, and the rise of nuclear families has left seniors with more leisure time and accrued income. This has driven a surge in demand for travel among the 55+ segment, which is now increasingly aspirational, adventurous and experience-seeking.
In line with this growing demand, Thomas Cook India has partnered with Gen S Life, a leading lifestyle and community platform for the 55+ demographic. As part of this collaboration, the two brands will host an educational webinar, “Making Pilgrimage Travel Easy & Enjoyable for 55+” on Zoom on Wednesday, 29 October at 11:00 am. The free webinar aims to empower senior travellers by addressing their unique travel needs through expert guidance. The session will feature renowned choreographer and traveller Sandip Soparrkar, alongside Thomas Cook’s expert tour managers, offering practical travel tips, destination insights and health advice tailored for senior travellers.
Drawing from Thomas Cook’s extensive spiritual circuits across India and the subcontinent, including Varanasi, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Mathura, Vrindavan, Bodh Gaya, Pokhara in Nepal and South India’s Madurai, Tirupati, Rameswaram and Kanyakumari, the experts will emphasise how convenience and premium comfort are built into every journey: from guided tours and VIP darshans to air-conditioned vehicle transfers; air helicopter journeys to Char Dham that allow seniors to complete the pilgrimage in just four days, significantly reducing travel fatigue compared with the traditional 10-day road trip. The company’s Pilgrimage Plus portfolio transforms spiritual travel into a holistic holiday experience, blending darshans with immersive local exploration such as sunset views from the ghats, boating on the Ganges, visits to weavers’ villages in Varanasi, and curated cuisine and cultural trails led by local experts.
Attendees will also receive exclusive access to customised pilgrimage packages and special senior group offers.
To cater for the Seniors segment, Thomas Cook India will also launch specialised group tours with itineraries that offer support for special dietary needs, carefully selected elder-friendly hotels with porterage, experienced tour manager accompaniment, themed evenings and high-quality, easily accessible vehicles to popular international destinations across Europe.
Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) Limited, said, “In India, the silver economy is expanding rapidly in response to increasing longevity, digital inclusion and higher discretionary income. Seniors are no longer passive travellers; they are curious, confident, eager to explore and they have both the means and the time to travel without compromise.
Our holidays are designed to meet their evolving needs, offering comfort, safety and enriching experiences. Whether it’s a spiritual journey or a leisure escape, our aim is to make travel seamless and enjoyable for the 55+ community. Our partnership with Gen S Life is a natural extension of this vision, combining our travel expertise with their deep understanding of senior lifestyles to create truly inclusive and empowering travel experiences.”
Meenakshi Menon, Founder of Gen S Life, said, “For many seniors, a pilgrimage is a deeply personal and significant journey, but the logistics can often be a deterrent. Our partnership with Thomas Cook brings together safety, convenience and community, allowing seniors to travel without hesitation. This initiative embodies our commitment to helping our community embrace new experiences with enthusiasm and ease. Through this webinar, we aim to spark confidence in seniors to continue exploring the world, one spiritual destination at a time.”
Gen S Life is an app offering a comprehensive ecosystem of curated services for the 55+ across health, wellness, finance, travel, safety, support, events, community and more. With over 40,000 downloads and 15,000+ registered users, the platform is committed to empowering seniors to lead healthier, safer, more connected and fulfilling lives. An early believer in the Gen S Life vision, Thomas Cook continues to provide members with exceptional travel experiences at exclusive rates.
