Category Archives: Agents

Madhavan Menon, Managing Director, Thomas Cook India Group, welcomes the announcement by the honourable Finance Minister, Sitharaman, saying, “This is a much needed step towards the revival of tourism – a sector  that is a significant contributor to the GDP, foreign exchange receipts and employment generation – with a cascading force multiplier effect on allied sectors. The three-pronged approach for the sector covers 100% guarantee for loans up to Rs 10 lakhs per government recognised Travel & Tourism stakeholder (TTS), up to Rs 1 Lakh financial support to over 11000 licensed guides at a state/regional level, and 5 lakh gratis visas that will serve to catalyse much needed inbound inflows.  The stimulus announcements reflect the government’s focus on the travel and tourism sector and augurs well for the industry, while simultaneously building consumer confidence in travel.”

Anil Oraw, Regional Director, Indiatourism North, has said, “One support we give to tour operators is that if they are doing online activities and have a website with 50-100 itineraries, we give financial assistance of up to Rs50,000 to revamp the website. If a tour operator is doing a campaign on Facebook or Google, we will support them.”

Krishna Murthy, Founder & Managing Director, SWT Club, shares that they have developed an authentic-time solution platform potentiated with technology and customisable product offerings for agents across India. “It is supplemented with a team of enthusiasts who handhold travel agent partners’ business growth with zeal and transparency. The year 2020 gave us enough time to redesign our business process by harnessing technology,” he says. SWT is a Global DMC, empowering Travel Agents in India to connect with travel service providers worldwide through a dynamic two-way online interface. With an industry experience of more than 18 years, the company has a vast network of travel supplier across the globe.

Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel surveyed over 4000 customers across India’s Tier I-III cities in a recent survey to identify emerging consumer behaviours and trends that will drive travel preferences in the COVID era. The survey revealed that as many as 66% respondents are willing to spend additional towards personal health & safety, while 19% cite uncertainty as a concern. Safety seems to be a key parameter for at least 70% respondents.

In a survey by Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel, 77% respondents continued to express strong preference for interaction with an expert for guidance/ reassurance – 27% opting to purchase holidays through retail outlets; 17% for home service; 33% preferred a contactless experience of a virtual store/video chat. On the other hand, 23% respondents opted for bookings via website/app. Over 4000 customers were surveyed across India’s Tier 1 – 3 cities to identify emerging consumer behaviours and trends that will drive travel preferences in the COVID era.

Sabina Chopra, Co-Founder and COO, Corporate Travel & Head Industry Relations, Yatra.com said they have witnessed that the turnaround time for travel bookings has been considerably quicker as compared to last year. “With the ongoing vaccination process in the country, people are more confident about booking for travels which will provide a boost to the industry,” she further said.

The first virtual ‘Korea Travel Expo’ will see buyers from West and South India indulging in B2B meetings with over 15 exhibitors from South Korea. In fact, 1/3rd of the delegation from South Korea is looking to explore the India market for the very first time or after many years. Register at www.koreatravelexpo.com, email jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +91 9650196532.

Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani visited Nadabet on India-Pakistan border and inspected various border tourism development works under the ‘Seema Darshan’ project. It is being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 125 crore and is expected to be completed before 15 August, 2021. Under this project, the Gujarat Tourism Corporation has completed the work of shelter development near Nadeshwari Mata temple. Tourism amenities are being developed in four phases.

Highlighting the importance of yoga on International Yoga Day, Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State for Tourism & Culture (I/C), said, “We know that the discussion around the world regarding mental health as well as post-Covid wellness – if anyone has a permanent solution for that it is India – whether it is in the form of Yoga, Ayurveda or Ayush.”

Despite the adverse impact of the pandemic, Thomas Cook India (TCIL) has witnessed sequential business recovery during the last nine months of fiscal 2021. This has resulted in sequential reduction in operating losses. The fund infusion TCIL received from its parent Fairfax of Rs 436 crore of optionally convertible cumulative redeemable preference shares during March 2021 has also mitigated impact of operating losses and provided support to its liquidity. Madhavan Menon, Managing Director, Thomas Cook (India), said, “The reaffirmation of the rating from CRISIL is a reassurance of our sound business fundamentals and financial management, despite the headwinds brought on by the pandemic. Factored in equally, is our strong brand equity and leadership positioning in the forex and travel businesses; as also the strong support from our parent Fairfax. Our consistent efforts at reimagining our businesses coupled with effective cost management have played a key role in navigating through the past 15 months and we will continue to focus on innovation and digitisation as we build momentum towards recovery.”