SOTC et SaveIN lancent un EMI vacances à taux zéro

Cet article révèle une nouvelle option de financement qui rend les réservations de vacances plus abordables grâce aux EMI à taux d'intérêt zéro introduits par SOTC Travel, en partenariat avec SaveIN.

What the partnership offers

SOTC Travel has entered a collaboration with fintech platform SaveIN to roll out a Save and Pay Later model that provides instant, paperless financing for travel purchases. The program allows customers to access interest-free equated monthly installments (EMIs) for holiday bookings, with finance limits of up to INR 10 lakh. The credit is processed digitally at the point of sale, enabling faster confirmation of itineraries and packages without the immediate upfront cost.

Key features at a glance

Why this matters for consumers

• Abordabilité : Spreads large holiday expenses over time without additional interest cost.
• Accessibilité : High-value experiences become reachable for customers who otherwise delay or downscale plans.
• Vitesse : Instant approval reduces friction at booking and helps secure peak-season travel options.
• Digital convenience: Paperless processing aligns with mobile-first booking behaviour among younger travellers.

Statements from the partnership

S D Nandakumar, President and Country Head – Holidays and Corporate Tours at SOTC Travel Limited, emphasized the role of flexible payment models in making travel a year-round lifestyle choice for Indians. He framed the collaboration as a means to enhance accessibility and the customer experience by leveraging SaveIN’s zero-interest EMI approach.

Jitin Bhasin, Founder and CEO of SaveIN, noted that the company’s evolution from healthcare financing into a multi-domain platform addresses similar challenges in travel, where upfront costs can limit consumers’ aspirations. The travel partnership represents SaveIN’s first major entry into this segment, packaged as a “3-in-1 financing framework” to make high-value travel more attainable.

Context: BNPL and EMI growth in India

The introduction of zero-interest EMIs by a major tour operator follows broader shifts in consumer finance. The Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) and EMI ecosystems in India have seen rapid adoption across retail and services. Analysts project sustained expansion: the BNPL/EMI segment is expected to grow significantly over the coming decade as digital payments and embedded finance become more pervasive.

Historical perspective

EMI-based purchasing for travel is not entirely new. Historically, travel agencies and banks offered installment options tied to credit cards or consumer loans. The difference today is the convergence of three trends: streamlined digital underwriting, specialised fintech players capable of quick disbursement, and a cultural shift among younger travellers toward spreading costs rather than delaying experiences. This shift has enabled travel companies to package financing directly with their products, rather than relying exclusively on third-party bank credit.

Market drivers

• Demographics: A rising middle class and youthful population with strong demand for experiential travel.
• Technologie : Faster identity verification and underwriting via digital KYC and data analytics.
• Product innovation: Fintech models such as interest-free EMIs, cashback-linked offers, and loyalty financing.

Implications for travel suppliers and activities

For tour operators, hotels, and activity providers, integrated financing can reduce booking abandonment and increase conversion of high-ticket offerings. The zero-interest EMI option makes it easier for travellers to commit to premium itineraries, longer packages, and add-on activities. Suppliers that align product pricing and inventory management with such payment options may see higher average transaction values and improved seasonality smoothing.

Potential effects on niche sectors

While the partnership targets mainstream holiday packages, its ripple effects can reach niche tourism segments. Luxury excursions, adventure packages, and bespoke experiences that previously required substantial deposits may become more marketable when paired with instalment plans. Tour operators offering specialized activities can use financing to upsell curated experiences and capture customers who seek immediate confirmation but prefer to defer the financial impact.

Operational considerations for providers

• Integrating point-of-sale financing requires API and checkout adjustments.
• Clear communication of terms and repayment profiles is critical to maintain trust.
• Monitoring customer credit behaviour and default risk remains important, even with zero-interest structures.

Forecast: What this means for tourism demand

Introducing large-ticket financing at zero interest could catalyse incremental demand across domestic and outbound travel markets. By lowering the immediate cost barrier, seasonal peaks may distribute more evenly as travellers book earlier and with greater confidence. Over time, a normalized use of EMIs for travel could raise average spending per trip, stimulate demand for value-added services, and encourage repeat travel among younger cohorts.

Cependant, la prudence est de mise. Une dépendance accrue aux achats à tempérament peut entraîner un surendettement des consommateurs si elle ne s'accompagne pas d'une éducation financière et de mesures de protection. Les régulateurs et les acteurs du secteur surveilleront probablement les schémas de défaut de paiement et les commentaires des consommateurs afin d'affiner les critères de souscription et d'éligibilité.

Comment cela pourrait-il se rapporter à la navigation de plaisance et aux expériences de marina ?

Bien que l'initiative cible principalement les voyages organisés, les modèles de financement tels que les EMI à taux zéro s'étendent souvent à un large éventail de services de voyage au fil du temps. Cela signifie que les réservations de loisirs de grande valeur - telles que les excursions privées d'une journée, les activités nautiques guidées et les expériences en marina - pourraient devenir plus faciles à acquérir pour les consommateurs qui préfèrent répartir les coûts. Les opérateurs des destinations côtières et des marinas qui proposent des services à terre avec des options de financement peuvent débloquer de nouveaux segments de clientèle à la recherche d'activités marines haut de gamme ou personnalisées.

Liste de contrôle pour les prestataires de services maritimes et d'activités

• Évaluer si le financement peut compléter les excursions d'une journée haut de gamme ou les forfaits de mouillage à flot.
• Concevez des politiques d'annulation et de remboursement claires, alignées sur les conditions de financement.
• Coordonner avec les partenaires de voyage pour présenter des offres groupées combinant hébergement et activités.

GetBoat se tient constamment informé des dernières actualités du tourisme et des mouvements du secteur, comme ce partenariat financier. La collaboration entre SOTC Travel et SaveIN pourrait remodeler le comportement des consommateurs en facilitant l'accès aux voyages, en encourageant les réservations sur les plages, les lacs et les destinations côtières, et en soutenant un éventail d'activités touristiques. Pour les voyageurs comme pour les fournisseurs, l'introduction de EMI à taux zéro témoigne d'une tendance croissante vers des solutions de paiement flexibles, susceptibles d'influencer la façon dont les gens planifient, budgétisent et vivent leur prochaine escapade. GetBoat.com is always keeping an eye on the latest tourism news.