Tag: Thomas Cook (India) Limited

Business

Thomas Cook India witnesses strong recovery in India’s M.I.C.E business

Nov 26, 2021 by Rekha Nair 0 Comments #MICE, #Mr. Rajeev Kale, #President & Country Head – Holidays, #Thomas Cook (India) Limited, #Visa

Mumbai: The pandemic brought the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibitions) sector to a standstill for most of 2020. To stay connected with its key MICE stakeholders, Thomas Cook (India) Limited – India’s leading integrated travel and travel related financial services company, transformed its business into a digital model – delivering over 100 virtual events for over 3 lakh attendees based in India, USA, Canada, Germany and Ireland. The Company also launched Gourmet Genie – specially curated corporate hampers that helped corporates stay in touch with their top performers and stakeholders with delivery of approx. 18,000 hampers till date.

To build corporate confidence in MICE travel, Thomas Cook launched its “Assured” Safe Travel Program – developed in association with Apollo Clinics that ensures best in class travel safety protocols covering every distribution, delivery and partner touchpoint in the travel ecosystem. This was followed by “TravShield” an upgraded safety commitment of only vaccinated staff and co-passengers among many other precautions, that ensures traveller safety in the pandemic era.

Despite the restrictions of the pandemic, Thomas Cook’s sustained corporate engagement towards driving MICE demand has resulted in delivery of over 200 physical groups of between 20-200 delegates per group in 2021. Top destinations included key metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad, top conference locations of Goa and Jaipur; also leisure favourites like Udaipur, Puri, Mahabalipuram, etc. With the reopening of international borders, several international MICE groups have been conducted to Dubai, Maldives, France and Germany with group sizes ranging between 20-200 guests. With growing appetite for exclusive experiences and increased spends, Thomas Cook has successfully managed premium groups with delegates comprising global business heads; stays at uber luxury hotels like Waldorf Astoria and The Ritz Carlton and exclusive experiences including dining at a Michelin star restaurant.

Sporting events were maximised by Thomas Cook towards delivery of 3 mid-sized MICE groups (between 30-100 delegates) during the T20 World Cup in the UAE. In addition, Expo 2020 Dubai continues to see growing interest from corporate R&D teams and trade associations.

Thomas Cook India has also organised weddings and related events ranging between 30-400 guests at Goa, Jaipur and Udaipur.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Despite the challenges of the pandemic, our focussed initiatives that included health and safety, have increased corporate confidence in MICE Travel. And this has resulted in our delivery of over 200 physical MICE groups (both domestic and international) since January this year. With increased demand for physical groups/events our pipeline for 2022 looks robust and our teams are all geared up to delivering truly exceptional programs to delight our MICE clients.”

Business, News

Thomas Cook & SOTC launch unbeatable Buy One Get One Free

Jul 22, 2021 by Rekha Nair 0 Comments #Daniel D’souza, #Leisure, #MICE, #Mr. Rajeev Kale President & Country Head – Holidays, #President & Country Head, #SOTC Travel, #Thomas Cook (India) Limited, #Visa

Mumbai: Durga Pujo is a very special time for Bengalis. This upcoming Pujo season is witnessing significant pent up travel demand with missed holidays due to successive lockdowns, coupled with the positivity of accelerated vaccine drives and easing travel restrictions. To tap into the viable West Bengal market, India’s leading integrated travel services company, Thomas Cook India, and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have launched a special Durga Pujo holiday range. Exclusive offers like Book One Get One Free and Staycations Free have been included to help Bengalis celebrate the festive season with family and loved ones and take a well-deserved break – to rest, rejuvenate and discover exciting new destinations.

Thomas Cook India & SOTC’s Third Holiday Readiness Report (June 2021) reveals that over 69% of Indians are keen to resume travel in 2021. The data for West Bengal however highlights an even stronger travel desire: over 74% respondents are eager to travel this year, and of this, over 79% chose the festive Pujo season. With 52% opting for domestic and 48% for international holidays, 66% respondents from West Bengal prefer to travel with family/friends. In an endeavour to leverage this significant travel appetite, Thomas Cook India & SOTC’s Pujo specials are aimed at converting latent demand into bookings.

Special Benefits:

· Free Staycations with partners like Novotel, Sterling Resorts and more, on:

o Domestic holidays to Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Kerala, Andamans

o Durga Pujo air-inclusive tours to Switzerland, Russia, Egypt

· Book One Get One Free (Companion holidays free) on international holidays to Dubai & Maldives

· Holiday Now and Pay After Return – at no extra cost

Details & Inclusions:

Book any Domestic Holiday & get a Staycation Free!

With Airfare: Kashmir / Himachal 7 Days; Uttarakhand 6 Days

Includes: Airfare, accommodation with breakfast & dinner, select sightseeing tours & transfers

Unique experiences included: a romantic Shikara Ride on Dal Lake; lunch at an apple orchard in Manali; tour of Bhimtal, Naukuchiyatal & Sattal

Without Airfare: Kerala 6 Days; Ladakh 7 Days; Andamans 6 Days

Includes: Accommodation with breakfast & dinner, select sightseeing tours & transfers

Exciting experiences included: Kalari Payattu martial art show; adrenalin infused ATV ride at Nubra Sand Dunes; Sea Kart Ride at Port Blair

Book a Durga Pujo air-inclusive Holiday & get a Staycation Free!

Shundor Switzerland 6 Days; Jhalakmoy Russia 6 Days; Egypt 9 Days

Pujo Specials: Bengali Tour Manager, select Bengali cuisine* on tour, guaranteed departures

Includes: Airfare, visa, travel insurance, accommodation with breakfast & dinner, sightseeing, transfers

FREE: Quality Staycations at Novotel (Accor Group), Sterling Holidays & others on every domestic booking – stays to be completed by September 30, 2021

Buy One Get One Free – Get your Companion’s Holiday Free!

Dubai 5 Days; Maldives 5 Days

Includes: accommodation with breakfast, select sightseeing & transfers

Special value add-ons included: Upgrade stay options on 4 & 5 star hotels; Visit Dubai Frame (Dubai)

All Meals Included plus Your Child Stays Free (Maldives)

Option: Avail of the unbeatable Holiday First, Pay After You Return scheme

To ensure personal/physical, financial and mental safety and build consumer confidence in travel, Thomas Cook India & SOTC’s comprehensive TravShield – Travel Safety Commitment encompasses meticulous safety protocols in association with Apollo Clinics:

· Vaccinated Travel Advisors & Contactless Bookings

· Free Re-scheduling & Cancellation

· Covid Insurance Cover with 24/7 Doctor On Call

· Vaccinated / Covid negative fellow travellers

· Covid negative/ Vaccinated Drivers, Hotel Staff

· Sanitised Rooms & Vehicles

Mr. Rajeev Kale President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “The Durga Pujo festival has always brought on joy/positivity and is a key travel season for Bengalis. This year, with both pent up demand and easing of travel restrictions, we are seeing increasing travel desire for the Pujo season. And so, we have designed special domestic and international holidays at attractive price points and with unbeatable offers like Buy One Get One Free and Staycations Free. We have added special touches like a Bengali Tour Manager, Bengali cuisine* and guaranteed departures on our Pujo special air-inclusive tours. This is our gift to enable Bengalis celebrate their favourite festival with their loved ones – and indulge in their amazing passion for travel!”

Daniel D’souza, President & Country Head, Leisure, SOTC Travel said, “The festival of Durga Pujo offers the perfect holiday opportunity. We have observed a significant growth in demand amongst diverse travellers, especially families, millennials and couples seeking that much-needed break to explore domestic and international destinations around this festive season.”

“Our Pujo holidays come with our unique TravShield Travel Safety Commitment – with comprehensive safety protocols in partnership with Apollo Clinics to ensure you travel safe with us,” he added.

Business World

Thomas Cook India looks to capitalise on Lucknow’s growing travel demand

Apr 12, 2021 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #Thomas Cook (India) Limited, #uttar pradesh tourism

Mumbai, April 12, 2021: Given the growing demand for travel and travel related services in Uttar Pradesh, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading integrated travel services company has opened its second Gold Circle Partner (Franchise) Outlet in Lucknow.

This expansion augments Thomas Cook India’s distribution and reach in Uttar Pradesh to 8 consumer access centres: 1 owned branch and 7 Gold Circle Partner (franchise) outlets. The Company’s network in Uttar Pradesh extends to 5 locations including Lucknow, Kanpur, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Prayagraj and Varanasi.

Thomas Cook India’s Holiday Readiness Report reveals a sizeable 84% respondents prefer reputed brands – especially when travelling in the COVID era. And Thomas Cook India’s internal data reiterates that its customers from Lucknow too are keen on a reliable and trustworthy Holiday brand to ensure comfort and peace of mind when travelling.

Hence to support its customers and provide easy access nearer home, the company has identified Mahanagar to set up its Gold Circle Partner franchise outlet. The outlet offers a range of end-to-end travel solutions, including: international & domestic holidays (group tours, personalised holidays, cruises, etc.), travel Insurance and visa services. To build consumer confidence in travel, the outlet will also offer Thomas Cook India’s Assured Safe Travel Program in partnership with Apollo Clinics and seamless COVID-negative certification services with doorstep delivery. Of additional advantage, especially during the COVID era, are Thomas Cook India’s Doctor on Call 24×7 and Safe Holiday Helpline services.

Lucknow Travel Trends: Showcasing an impressive appetite for travel Lucknow based consumers have listed Goa, Kerala, Andamans, Kashmir as their domestic favorites and Dubai, Russia (Moscow), Maldives, Seychelles, Nepal and Turkey as their international favourites following the easing of travel restrictions. Segments spearheading Lucknow’s travel demand include millennials, young couples, and families.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said, “Lucknow has been identified as a prime growth driver and continues to deliver strong YoY growth for our Leisure Travel business. We’ve carefully selected our new outlet at Mahanagar – a key residential and commercial centre in Lucknow to provide us a viable catchment with a range of consumers across families, young professionals and business travellers, students, senior citizens and NRIs.”

Gold Circle Partner Akash Deep is a travel and tourism veteran and his expertise in the industry along with his extensive network will assist Thomas Cook India to further strengthen its presence in this growing market.

Contact Details:

Thomas Cook (India) Limited

First Floor, M -10, Gole Market,

Mahanagar, Lucknow,

Uttar Pradesh, 226006

Ph: 9450430565

Email: AmitKumar.Srivastav@thomascook.in

Assured Insured Secured Program: To ensure health and safety of customers, Thomas Cook India has put together a holistic three pronged customer confidence-building program in the form of the Assured-Insured-Secured that covers every aspect of physical safety as well as mental and financial security to give the customer complete peace of mind. The company has launched several meaningful initiatives: Assured Safe Travel Program in partnership with Apollo Clinics & as an extension the valuable, Doctor on Call 24×7 service; India’s first Safe Holiday Helpline, a free service offering expert guidance & assistance for safe holiday planning, visa assistance, country specific updates, on-ground health and safety measures, health certification, etc. and seamless COVID-negative certification services via a tie up with ICMR accredited labs.

Business World

Thomas Cook India expands its footprint in Uttar Pradesh to 7 outlets

Apr 8, 2021 by Rekha Nair 0 Comments #MICE, #Mr. Rajeev Kale, #President & Country Head – Holidays, #Thomas Cook (India) Limited, #Visa

Mumbai: Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading integrated travel services company has expanded its footprint in Uttar Pradesh with the launch of a new Gold Circle Partner franchise outlet in Varanasi. This expansion augments Thomas Cook India’s distribution and reach in Uttar Pradesh to 7 consumer access centres: 1 owned branch and 6 Gold Circle Partner (franchise) outlets – across Lucknow, Kanpur, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Prayagraj and Varanasi.

The Thomas Cook India’s Holiday Readiness Report reveals 2 key insights: a significant 67% respondents are keen to travel in the next 6 months and a sizeable 84% prefer reputed brands – especially when travelling in the COVID era. Hence to support its customers in the high potential market of Uttar Pradesh, Thomas Cook India has set up its Varanasi outlet to offer end-to-end travel solutions, including: international & domestic holidays (group tours, personalised holidays, cruises, etc.), travel Insurance and visa services. To build consumer confidence in travel, the outlet will also offer Thomas Cook India’s Assured Safe Travel Program in partnership with Apollo Clinics and seamless COVID-negative certification services with doorstep delivery. Of additional advantage, especially during the COVID era, are Thomas Cook India’s Doctor on Call 24×7 and Safe Holiday Helpline services.

Customer Trends: Customers from Uttar Pradesh are displaying strong interest in both domestic favourites like Andamans, North East, Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir and international destinations of Maldives, Dubai and the recently reopened Russia, Seychelles, Nepal, Egypt and Turkey. The demand is across segments such as families/extended families, business professionals, ad hoc groups of friends, etc. An interesting trend is the growing preference for multiple short breaks among customers from Varanasi with a preference for cooler climates and hilly destinations such as Mussoorie, Shimla, Nainital, etc.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said, “With the opening of our Gold Circle Partner outlet at RathYatra Chauraha, we are delighted to offer our customers in Varanasi our attractive range of holidays – right at their doorstep. Varanasi offers us strong growth potential and we have carefully selected the location of a key commercial centre to access a diversity of consumer segments.”

Gold Circle Partner Mr. Nikunj Gaur is a travel and tourism veteran and his expertise in the industry along with his extensive network will assist Thomas Cook India to further strengthen its presence in this growing market.