Mumbai, May 26, 2022: Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have signed an MOU to promote Saudi – a collaboration that intends to focus on building awareness and increasing visibility for the destination in the high potential India market. The partnership will leverage Thomas Cook India and SOTC’s diverse segments, including leisure and B-leisure, coupled with the companies’ unique omnichannel clicks & bricks model – the companies’ significant size-scale and extensive retail presence pan India, portals, holidays apps, virtual holiday stores and call centre.

Saudi is a hidden gem with a rich culture and heritage offering and an incredible breadth of exciting outdoor adventure experiences, amidst stunning, natural landscapes. The destination is home to several UNESO World Heritage sites, untouched nature and a rapidly evolving, dynamic entertainment offerings, grounded in the warmth of Saudi hospitality.

In an initiative to create visibility and inspire demand for Saudi, the MOU between Thomas Cook, SOTC and Saudi Tourism Authority intends to focus on content curation, product development and a joint marketing campaign across media platforms.

Thomas Cook India and SOTC’s product portfolio will extend across ready-to-book holidays and personalised programs across value tours, affordable luxury and premium holidays.

“Saudi is an unexplored and exciting new destination that offers much opportunity for the Indian traveller. We are delighted to collaborate with Saudi Tourism Authority to create visibility and awareness for the destination. Our aim is to provide our customers with distinctive Saudi experiences that appeal to our diversity of segments from families, couples, millennials/young professionals to our B-leisure segments.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited

Our unique omnichannel model is a significant advantage to this partnership – offering customers the choice and convenience of selecting their preferred mode of contacting us: via our holiday app, virtual holiday store, website, call centre or extensive retail network pan India.”

“Traveller preferences have evolved in the new normal and our data indicates strong consumer interest for new/untapped destinations and Saudi hence offers exciting potential! Historically known for its rich culture, heritage and cuisine, this hidden gem offers unique facets like thrilling outdoor/adventure activities (diving, snorkelling, biking, hiking and yachting) also its multitude of UNESCO World Heritage sites. We look forward to an enriching partnership as we unveil the beauty and depth of Saudi.”

Mr. Daniel D’souza President & Country Head – Holidays, SOTC Travel

“Saudi is on an incredible journey of transformation with tourism at the forefront and as the world continues to open up, we remain committed to building the world’s biggest new destination. The authentic home of Arabia, Saudi offers global travellers endless diversity, an opportunity to discover the unexplored and unexpected. From a rich cultural experience, pristine nature and stunning landscapes, a dynamic entertainment offering and welcoming and warm hospitality, Saudi has it all. This partnership with Thomas Cook and SOTC is critical in helping us achieve our ambitious tourism goals, unlocking opportunities for growth, for our partners, as we increase destination awareness, develop product and drive inbound visitation amongst the Indian traveller.”

Mr. Alhasan Aldabbagh, Chief Markets Officer – APAC, Saudi Tourism Authority

About Thomas Cook (India) Limited:

Set up in 1881, Thomas Cook India) Limited. (TCIL) is the leading omnichannel travel company in the country offering a broad spectrum of services including 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 TPro, 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 2022 & 2021, The Best Travel Agency – India at TTG Travel Awards 2019, The Best Outbound Tour Operator at the Times Travel Awards 2019 & 2018 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 5 years in a row 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. For more information, please visit www.thomascook.in

Fairbridge Capital (Mauritius) Limited, a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited promotes TCIL by holding 70.58% of its paid-up capital and is responsible for the execution of acquisition and investment opportunities.

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 omnichannel travel and tourism company active across various travel segments including Leisure Travel, Incentive Travel and Business Travel. 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.