Thomas Cook (India) Limited and its group company, SOTC Travel, have partnered with Tourism New Zealand to showcase the country through an innovative gaming experience. The collaboration aligns with the upcoming release of A Minecraft Movie, which was filmed in New Zealand in association with Warner Bros. Pictures and Mojang Studios.
Through this partnership, Thomas Cook India and SOTC will leverage Minecraft’s immense global appeal, aiming to engage young Indian travelers by bringing New Zealand’s landscapes into a gaming format. The initiative introduces a first-of-its-kind downloadable content (DLC) pack within Minecraft, enabling users to virtually explore iconic destinations such as Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, Kapiti Island, Abel Tasman, Tekapo, and Doubtful Sound.
The goal of this campaign is to inspire young travelers to convert their digital adventure into a real-world travel experience. To facilitate this transition, Thomas Cook India and SOTC have curated special Minecraft-inspired travel itineraries featuring experiences showcased in the game, including canoeing in Abel Tasman, glowworm cave tours in Waitomo, and stargazing in Tekapo.
Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive René de Monchy highlighted the importance of this partnership, stating, “This initiative invites Indian travelers to experience New Zealand in a fun and immersive way. Our collaboration with Thomas Cook and SOTC aims to convert digital engagement into actual travel plans.”
Abraham Alapatt, President and Group Head – Marketing, Service Quality, Value-Added Services, and Innovation at Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel, remarked, “Gaming is an exciting new way to engage India’s young travelers. Through this collaboration, we intend to bridge the gap between digital exploration and real-world adventure, offering a seamless travel experience.”
This initiative marks a unique blend of gaming and tourism, positioning New Zealand as a dynamic and aspirational travel destination for Indian travelers.
