Opens new Franchise (Gold Circle Partner Outlet) at Surat
The expansion augments Thomas Cook India’s distribution and reach in Gujarat to 10 consumer centres: 5 owned branches and 5 Gold Circle Partner (franchise) outlets across Gujarat
Mumbai, October 8, 2021: Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., India’s leading integrated travel services company has expanded its footprint in Gujarat with the launch of a new Gold Circle Partner franchise outlet in Surat. This expansion augments Thomas Cook India’s distribution and reach in Gujarat to 10 consumer access centres: 5 owned branches and 5 Gold Circle Partner (franchise) outlets across Gujarat state.
In this new age of travel (Covid-era), customers are understandably seeking the guidance and reassurance of holiday experts to navigate through the complexities and changes in travel and health protocols. Thomas Cook India’s Third Holiday Readiness Report (June 2021) reiterates the same, with a significant 77% respondents stating that they require guidance of a holiday expert. To guide and support its customers with their travel plans and requirements, Thomas Cook India has set up a new Gold Circle Partner franchise outlet at Surat. Additionally, to build consumer confidence in travel, Thomas Cook India has launched TravShield – comprehensive Safety Commitment & Assured Safe Travel Program in association with Apollo Clinics that covers every aspect of physical safety as well as mental and financial security to give the customer complete peace of mind.
Over the past 18 months there has been a strong pent-up demand and with the easing of restrictions and re-opening of borders, Gujarat’s consumers are displaying a strong travel desire for travel to international favourites like Maldives, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Switzerland, France, Austria, Turkey, Egypt and Russia; also domestic locales like Goa, Andamans, Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, etc. Key segments driving growth from Gujarat include families/extended families, couples, group of friends, millennials/young professionals, businesses and b-leisure.
Thomas Cook’s Gold Circle Partner outlet in Surat offers consumers end-to-end travel solutions with a bouquet of travel and travel related services, including: International & Domestic Holidays (Group tours, Personalised Holidays, Cruises, etc.), Value Added Services like Travel Insurance; Visa Services, etc.
Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Gujarat has always been a key source market for us at Thomas Cook India, and we are delighted to launch our new Gold Circle Partner franchise outlet in Surat. We aim to extend our reach to diverse consumer segments from Surat, including families/extended families, senior citizens, couples, group of friends, millennials/young professionals, businesses and b-leisure.
To welcome customers from Surat, we have announced great holiday offers like Buy one, Get one – Companion free offer on select domestic and international destinations, early bird offer of Rs. 60,000 per family on select Europe tours; Taj vouchers valued at Rs.10,000 on India Extravaganza holidays, unbelievable pricing of Crazy Deals packages and many more attractive offers.
We have designed exclusive Gujarat regional tours like Albelu Europe, Albelu Switzerland and Albelu Turkey (along with Gujarati speaking tour manager), Diwali specials to Heavenly Himachal and Exotic Kashmir. This is my personal invite to our valued customers from Surat to please visit our holiday experts at our new outlet and plan a memorable holiday with us.
He added Gold Circle Partner, Mr. Chintan Harivadan Champaneria, is a businessperson into Textile and Diamond along with an experience in travel and tourism industry. His extensive network will assist Thomas Cook India to further strengthen our presence in this growing Surat market.”
About Thomas Cook (India) Limited: Set up in 1881, Thomas Cook India) Limited. (TCIL) is the leading integrated travel and travel related financial services company in the country offering a broad spectrum of services that include Foreign Exchange, Corporate Travel, MICE, Leisure Travel, Value Added Services, Visa and Passport services.
It operates leading B2C and B2B brands including Thomas Cook, SOTC, TCI, SITA, Asian Trails, Allied T Pro, Australian Tours Management, Desert Adventures, Luxe Asia, Travel Circle International Limited (TCI 勝景遊), Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, Distant Frontiers, TC Tours, Digiphoto Entertainment Imaging (DEI), Go Vacation, Private Safaris East & South Africa
As one of the largest travel service provider networks headquartered in the Asia-Pacific region, The Thomas Cook India Group spans 25 countries across 5 continents
TCIL has been felicitated with CNBC-TV18 & ICICI Lombard India Risk Management Award – Travel & Leisure Category 2021, The Best Travel Agency – India at TTG Travel Awards 2019, The Best Outbound Tour Operator at the Times Travel Awards 2018 & 2019 and Leading Company with Cutting Edge Travel Innovation at the Times Travel Awards 2018, Silver award for Asia’s Best Integrated Report (First Time) category at the Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards 2019, Best Risk Management-Framework & Systems at the India Risk Management Awards 2019; Best Cash Management Solution.
India at the Asset Triple A Treasury, Trade, Supply Chain & Risk Management Awards 2018, Best Outbound Tour Operator at the SATTE Awards 2019, Excellence in Domestic Tour Operations at the SATTE Awards 2018, The French Ambassador’s Award for Exemplary Achievements in Visa Issuance – 2015 to 2019 and the Condé Nast Traveller – Readers’ Travel Awards from 2011 to 2019.
CRISIL has reaffirmed the rating on debt programmes and bank facilities of Thomas Cook (India) Limited – ‘CRISIL A+/Negative on the long-term bank facilities of TCIL and CRISIL A1 rating on the short-term bank facilities and short- term debt of the Company.
Fairbridge Capital (Mauritius) Limited, a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited promotes TCIL by holding 65.60% of its paid-up capital and is responsible for the execution of acquisition and investment opportunities.
About Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited:
Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited is a holding company which, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and investment management. Founded in 1985 by the present Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Prem Watsa, the company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Its common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol FFH and in U.S. dollars under the symbol FFH.U.
About Subsidiaries of Thomas Cook (India) Limited:
Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, wholly owned subsidiary of TCIL is engaged in time share and resort business.
SOTC Travel Limited, wholly owned subsidiary of TCIL is a leading travel and tourism company active across various travel segments including Leisure Travel, Incentive Travel and Business Travel.
Travel Corporation (India) Limited. (TCI), a brand owned by TCIL through its wholly owned subsidiary company, is the leading Destination Management Company in India that offers tailor-made travel and related services to India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.
Thomas Cook India Group holds 51% stake in DEI Holdings Limited (DEI), one of the world’s leading imaging solutions and services providers.
About SOTC Travel: SOTC Travel Limited
(Formerly SOTC Travel Pvt. Ltd.) is a step-down subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Group; held through its Indian listed subsidiary, Thomas Cook (India) Limited (TCIL). SOTC India is a leading travel and tourism company active across various travel segments including Leisure Travel, Incentive Travel and Business Travel and Foreign Exchange. SOTC was established in 1949. Since then, it has escorted lakhs of travellers across the globe for more than 70 years to various destinations around the world. A new age innovative holidaymaker, SOTC strives to make holidays a priority for every Indian. ‘We are for holidays’ and we want Indians to prioritize their holidays.
This news was shared to Prittle Prattle News via press release.
