Thomas Cook witnesses a strong 25% growth from Pune
Pune, April 6, 2019:For Thomas Cook India, Pune is a critical source market, and forms a vital part of its strategic plan for 2019-20. Pune contributes a significant 7%to Thomas Cook India’s overall holiday business with a strong growth of over 25% YoY.
Thomas Cook India’s trends highlight that Punekars prefer destinations likeHimachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andamans, Kerala (domestic);Switzerland, France, Spain, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia-New Zealand, South Africa, USA (international); also new destinations such as Japan, South America, Croatia, Hungary, Korea, Finland, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Israel, Jordan, Tunisia, Ireland& Antarctica. Cruises too are seeing growing popularity reporting a strong growth of 20%.Summer and Diwali continue to be the most preferred travel seasons forPunekars.The cityhas seen a significant increase in solo travellers, especially in the age group of 24-48 years.For Pune’s millennials travel is a round the year phenomenon with a surge in demand during weekends and bank holidays. Pune’s women are driving travel demand with a growth of 35% and the company has seen strong interest in its Ladies First tours.
Post extensive customer research, in a focused attempt to cater to its Pune travellers and boost demand, Thomas Cook India had launched special Regional Maharashtrian Tours:Aakarshak, Adbhut, Anandmay, Prekshaniya and Romanchak series. Given increasing demand of over 15%, the company has introduced a special Marathi product category called ‘AvismarniyaSahli’ across Europe, USA, Asia and Australia.Key elementsof its Maharashtrian Tours include a friendly Marathi speaking experienced Thomas Cook Tour Manager, fondly referred to as ‘Bhau’, the company of Marathi speaking co-travellers and the comfort of delicious Maharashtrian cuisine while on tour (poha, upma, aamras, etc.). Today, approximately 70% of Thomas Cook’s Tour Managers are Maharashtrians.
Thomas Cook India’s strategic focus on the Pune market caters to theholiday segment, business travellers, leisure travellers, and its b-leisure segment (business plus leisure). The Company’s high growth segments from Pune include the powerful family segment; also couples/honeymooners, young working millennials, student study tours, Gen S/Seniors, ladies-only groups and corporate MICE groups. The primary driver segment in the next five years, however, is expected to be made up of young travellers, particularly millennials, who are defined by their taste for the unexpected, unexplored, and adventurous, both in terms of experiences and destinations.
To further expand its Maharashtra reach, Thomas Cook India has associated with Marathi film “Ti & Ti”, by renowned filmmaker Mrinal Kulkarni, starring veteran artist and first-runner-up of Bigg Boss Marathi, Pushkar Jog along with Sonalee Kulkarni and PrarthanaBehere. A majority of the film has been shot in London and Scotland, with Thomas Cook India as Travel Partner, forming an integral part of the story.Thomas Cook recently partnered with Taarak Mehta KaOoltahChashmah (the world’s longest running daily family comedy show) to connect with its regional consumers. The episodes have been shot in Singapore.
Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE&Visa, Thomas Cook (India)Ltd. said,“Pune contributes a strong 7% to our overall Thomas Cook holidays business and given the strong growth and high potential, we have identified Pune as a key focus for our Company. To cater to our loyal and growing Pune customers, we have created our special‘AvismarniyaSahli’ Marathi product category across Europe, USA, Asia & Australia; in addition to our Aakarshak, Adbhut, Anandmay, Prekshaniya and Romanchak series. Included are experienced Maharashtrian Tour Managers, local Maharashtrian cuisine and brochures in Marathi, to make our customers comfortable and feel at home, whilst exploring unique destinations.”
He concluded with, “I am proud to state that I was born in Pune and I am truly grateful to Punekars for the impressive 25% growth from this market. Hence to increase our customer connect in Pune with knowledge sessions about destinations & packages by ourtravel experts and experienced Tour Managers, we have announced a one-day ‘Sammelan’, a unique consumer outreach programme. Attractive spot offers and special discounts are available to help our Pune customers book a perfect affordable holiday.”
Thomas Cook India Sammelan: Sunday, 07thApril2019 from 10:00 am-06:00 pm at Hotel Kohinoor Executive, 1246/B, Apte Rd, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune, Maharashtra – 411004
About Thomas Cook (India) Limited: Set-up in 1881, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. (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, Insurance, Visa and Passport services and E-Business. It operates leading B2C and B2B brands including Thomas Cook, SOTC, TCI, SITA, Asian Trails, Allied T Pro, Australian Tours Management, Desert Adventures, Travel Circle International Limited, 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, a team of over 8226 and a combined revenue in excess of Rs. 11,411.6 Cr. (over $ 1.75 Bn).
TCIL has been felicitated with The Best Outbound Tour Operator and Leading Company with Cutting Edge Travel Innovation at the Times Travel Awards 2018, Excellence in Domestic Tour Operations at the SATTE Awards 2018, Best Travel Entrepreneur of The Year at TTG Travel Awards 2017, The French Ambassador’s Diamond Award for Exemplary Achievements in Visa Insurance– 2015 to 2018 and the Condé Nast Traveller – Readers’ Travel Awards from 2011 to 2018.
CRISIL has reaffirmed the rating on debt programmes and bank facilities of Thomas Cook (India) Ltd at ‘CRISIL AA-/Stable 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.
For more information, please visitwww.thomascook.in
Fairbridge Capital (Mauritius) Limited, a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited promotes TCIL by holding 66.94% of its paid up capital and is responsible for the execution of acquisition and investment opportunities.
