Thomas Cook forays into Punjab’s high-growth market

Opens its first Gold Circle Partner outlet in Mohali

Expands the Company's retail network to 10 outlets across Punjab

Mohali, June 10, 2025: In line with its strategic expansion into high-potential growth markets, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company, has strengthened its presence in Punjab with the launch of its first franchise outlet in Mohali. A key part of the Tricity region, Mohali is known for its rapidly growing residential and commercial development. The outlet was inaugurated by Anita Patni, Associate Vice President - Leisure Travel, Thomas Cook India Limited in the presence of Mr. Mr. Sutantar Paitka and Mr. Manish Paitka, Gold Circle Partners for the Mohali outlet.

 

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Mohali is an important source market for us, and we’ve seen strong demand coming from the region. Hence, we are delighted to announce the opening of our first Gold Circle Partner franchise outlet in Mohali. Strategically chosen for its central location, this new outlet will enhance our ability to serve the growing and diverse needs of customers in the region, offering easy access and seamless services to our customers – right at their doorstep! On behalf of my Team, I extend a warm welcome to our customers from Mohali and the Tricity. My Team and I look forward to co-curating memorable holidays for each of our customers – for destinations within India and internationally.”

 

Thomas Cook India’s India Holiday Report 2025 (Mohali/Punjab’s data) highlights that 60% of respondents intend to increase the frequency of their holidays, while 59% plan to boost their holiday budgets by 20–50% – a clear indicator of the city/state’s strong travel appetite. The launch of Thomas Cook’s outlet is thus strategically timed to tap into this strong demand, by providing access and convenience for customers in Mohali and neighbouring areas including Banur, Rajpura, and Kharar. With this addition, Thomas Cook India expands its footprint in Punjab to a total of 10 outlets across the state.

 

Thomas Cook’s Mohali outlet offers end-to-end travel services: International & Domestic Holidays (Group Tours, Personalised Holidays, Cruises, etc.), Value Added Services like Travel Insurance etc. Additionally, Thomas Cook’s AI booking platform assists customers in planning their personalized vacations in real time by checking availability, and making reservations in a matter of minutes. This is coupled with the expertise of the Company’s in-store holiday experts to help customers’ co-curate memorable vacations.

 

 

 

India Holiday Report 2025: Travel Trends from Mohali

 

· 55% of Mohali travellers plan to increase their holidays from 2 to 4-6 trips annually

 

· 54% plan to increase travel spends by 20–50% in 2025; reflecting a willingness to invest in deeper, more enriching experiences

 

· 60% of respondents show a strong preference for experience-led holidays; 55% (higher than the national average of 45%) are drawn to phenomenon-based travel such as the Northern Lights, Cherry Blossom; 40% express interest in safaris, self-drives, and outdoor adventures

 

· New travel formats in demand: 35% of travellers plan to opt for cruises; 25% for self-drives and 20% for scenic train journeys

 

· 55% of travellers prefer a phygital approach, combining digital convenience with trusted offline expertise for travel planning

 

· Top destinations:

 

o International: Europe (60%) continues to be a top choice (higher than the national average of 50%) for Mohali customers with Switzerland, Austria, and France ranking high; followed by Japan, South Korea (40%); Southeast Asia (30%) (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore); Australia-New Zealand (25%); Middle East (25%) (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Oman); Central Asia (20%) (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and others); Island locales (15%) (Mauritius, Maldives, Bali, Sri Lanka).

 

o Domestic: Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal, Andaman Islands, North-East India

 

· Simplified visa processes (e-visa, visa-on-arrival, visa-free access) strongly influencing destination choices, with countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka in high demand

 

· Continued demand for Pilgrimage Tourism: Char Dham, Kashi, Ayodhya, Rameswaram, Tirupati, Amritsar, Varanasi, Prayagraj

 

 

 

Musical Evening & Summer Food Fest Brings Crowd Cheers to Yummy Cloud Tech Food Court, TDI City, Mohali

Mohali, 10 June 2025:

A wave of excitement swept through the Yummy Cloud Tech Food Court at Apna Bazaar, TDI City, Mohali, on Sunday, 8 June 2025, as it hosted a high-energy Musical Night combined with the vibrant Summer Food Festival. The event drew an enthusiastic crowd from across the Tricity, offering a memorable blend of live music, delectable cuisine, and community spirit.

The evening’s main attraction was a power-packed live performance by a popular local band that had the audience dancing and singing along. Adding to the buzz, the event welcomed special guest RJ Golmal Gagan from 94.3 FM, who mingled with attendees and kept the energy levels soaring with his signature wit and charm.

The food court’s most celebrated brands – Roll Nation, known for its mouth-watering kathi rolls; Delhi Gali, serving rich North Indian flavors; and Chini Talkeez, dishing out Chinese street-style delights – took center stage with exclusive combo offers and refreshing summer beverages. The atmosphere was lively, with the food court seeing record footfall and guests praising both the quality and affordability of the food.

Part of the ongoing Summer Food Fest, which runs until 30 June 2025, the event is one of many themed evenings designed to create a destination experience. With weekend specials, family-friendly menus, and festive decor, the fest has transformed dining into a celebration. "Our goal with events like these is to go beyond food — to create a place where families, friends, and foodies come together for shared experiences," said Devinder Thakur, Co-founder and Technology & Operations Lead at Yummy Cloud. "We’re building a food court model that’s as much about connection as it is about cuisine."

Yummy Cloud Tech Food Court represents India’s most forward-looking multi-cuisine dining concept, fusing smart technology with high-quality food offerings and a scalable business format. The venture is spearheaded by co-founders Devinder Thakur, J.K. Chauhan, Rajni Chauhan, and Sapna Kumari, each bringing domain expertise across tech, franchise strategy, product innovation, and brand marketing. Together, they envision expanding to over 50 locations by 2027, spanning malls, highways, and commercial zones.

The Mohali outlet, operated by franchise partners Jagmohan Singh and Ritesh Gupta under the FOFO model, has rapidly emerged as a flagship success story, setting the benchmark for future franchisees with its thriving footfall and tech-integrated service.

Looking ahead, Yummy Cloud is preparing to launch in Ludhiana, Zirakpur, Jaipur, and other fast-growing markets. With both FOCO and FOFO franchise models open for collaboration, the brand is inviting investors and mall developers to be part of its high-ROI journey backed by full backend support and brand equity.

आध्यात्मिक प्रगति को निखारने का अवसर गुरु पूर्णिमा महापर्व -श्री सुधांशु जी महाराज

08 जून। पंचकुला जिले में स्थित मोरनी हिल पर निर्मित शिवधाम आश्रम में आज लगा हजारों गुरु भक्तों का हुजूम। सभी भक्त अपने पाप ताप को प्रायश्चित के लिए गुरु पूर्णिमा महोत्सव के पावन अवसर पर पंजाब एवं हरियाणा सहित देश के अन्य राज्यों से भी गुरु भक्त आए हैं। पूज्य श्री सुधांशु जी महाराज ने उपस्थित भक्तों को कहा कि गुरु पूर्णिमा पर्व पर अपनी पाप ताप प्रायश्चित करने, जीवन में नया नियम धारण करने, नया दृष्टि पाने के लिए तथा अपनी दिनचर्या व्यवस्थित हो, इसके लिए भक्त अपने सद्गुरु के पास जाकर खुद का नवीनीकरण का अवसर ढूंढता है, उसके जीवन में नित्य निरन्तर मजबूती आती है। परम पूज्य महाराजश्री जी ने आगे कहा कि जब हम दीपावली का पर्व आने के एक महीना पूर्व घर की साफ सफाई आन्तरिक एवं बाह्य रूप से करते हैं, उसी तरह भक्त भी गुरु पूर्णिमा महोत्सव भी एक महीना पूर्व गुरुदेव के दर्शन करके खुद को तरोताजा एवं पारिवारिक खुशहाली की कामना करता है और सद्गुरु उन्हें आशीष देते हैं।

कार्यक्रम का समापन गुरु पाद पूजन एवं गुरु महाआरती के साथ हुआ। महोत्सव का मंच संचालन नई दिल्ली से आए आचार्य अनिल झा जी ने किया। पूजन में सर्वश्री सौरभ गुप्ता, प्रधान, मनोज शास्त्री, संयोजक कार्यक्रम, आचार्य कुलदीप पाण्डेय एवं एन.के. गोयल के हाथों सम्पन्न हुआ।

On the occasion of Guru Purnima, a large number of devotees enjoyed the discourses of Param Pujya Sudhanshu Ji Maharaj

Panchkula, 7 June 2025 

On the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima on Saturday, Param Pujya Sudhanshu Ji Maharaj arrived to preach at Shiv Dham Ashram Morni Road Panchkula. A large number of Guru devotees enjoyed the discourse of Param Pujya Maharaj Ji in this program which started at 5 pm here. Today, on the first day of the program, Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sanjay Tandon participated and took the blessings of Maharaj Ji.

During his discourse, Sudhanshu Ji Maharaj said that there is no one above God, we all should wake up in the morning and meditate on God. He said that Guru has great importance in our life and we should understand the Guru. He appealed to the devotees who came to the program to connect with the Guru and the scriptures.

While preaching, Param Pujya Sudhanshu Ji Maharaj said that our India is a very big and peaceful country. He congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Operation Sandur and also praised him for awakening patriotism among the people of the country. He said that it is very important for the people of the country to have patriotism. He said that in today's time, opening of Sanskar Kendra is being considered to fill the generation gap, so that today's generation can get information about ancient knowledge. He said that the first Gurukul in the country should be built in Bengal, the second in Moradabad, and the third in Naxalite and tribal areas.

During his sermon, he said that Vishwa Jagriti Mission is going to do a great job. We had also announced this during the Kumbh Mela. He told that work is being done on why our India remained a slave for so many years. He also told that we are also working to open 10 Gurukuls and 108 Sanskar Kendras in India. He said that in the Sanskar Kendra, children and youth will be made aware about connecting with parents, culture and their history.

Program coordinator Manoj Shastri said that a large number of devotees arrived to listen to Maharaj ji's discourse today. He said that this program will run from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on June 8. Jagriti Mission Chairperson Sudesh Gupta, President Saurabh Gupta and Yograj Munjal were also present on this occasion.

Ramada Encore by Wyndham Chandigarh Zirakpur Opens with 65 Contemporary Rooms Zirakpur

Chandigarh (Zirakpur): Tricity Hotels and Resorts Private Limited proudly announces the grand opening of Ramada Encore by Wyndham Chandigarh, a vibrant 65-room hotel located in one of North India’s fastest-growing urban corridors. Franchised under Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company, this new property introduces a bold and refreshing hospitality experience under the dynamic Ramada Encore brand. 

Strategically positioned at the gateway to Chandigarh, the hotel offers effortless access to Chandigarh International Airport, IT parks, shopping hubs, and popular local attractions. It is ideal for business travelers, leisure guests, and event seekers alike. 

Each of the 65 rooms has been designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s connected travelers, featuring modern interiors, smart amenities, and intuitive comfort that reflects the vibrant energy of the Ramada Encore brand. 

“We are incredibly proud to bring the Ramada Encore brand to Zirakpur. Our vision was to create a hotel that embodies the needs of the modern traveler stylish, connected, and effortlessly comfortable. This is more than a business milestone; it’s a passion project. We look forward to welcoming guests and playing a meaningful role in Zirakpur’s growth as a commercial and travel hub,” said Mr. Sohan Lal, Director at Tricity Hotels and Resorts Pvt. Ltd. Guests can enjoy a versatile mix of amenities including a multi-cuisine restaurant, rooftop lounge, and flexible meeting and event spaces, making the hotel ideal for everything from corporate gatherings to weekend escapes. “We are delighted to introduce Ramada Encore in Zirakpur a city buzzing with opportunity and momentum. 

This launch is a great fit for the brand, and we believe the hotel will become a preferred choice for travelers in the region. Our collaboration with Tricity Hotels and Resorts exemplifies our shared commitment to delivering quality hospitality in high-potential markets,” said Mr. Rahool Macarius, Market Managing Director, Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. The opening of Ramada Encore by Wyndham Zirakpur is part of Wyndham’s strategic expansion in India, offering globally benchmarked, reliable accommodations across both major cities and emerging destinations. 

About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company by the number of franchised properties, with approximately 9,300 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 907,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 25 hotel brands, including Super 8®️, Days Inn®️, Ramada®️, Microtel®️, La Quinta®️, Baymont®️, Wingate®️, AmericInn®️, ECHO Suites®️, Registry Collection Hotels®️, Trademark Collection®️ and Wyndham®️. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 115 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com