Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. is an Indian travel agency, headquartered in Mumbai, India, providing travel services including Foreign Exchange, International and Domestic Holidays, Visas, Passports, Travel Insurance and MICE. Founded in 1881 by Thomas Cook, the founder of the now defunct British brand Thomas Cook & Son, who established its first office in India and eventually extended to over 233 locations, in 94 cities across India, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.[4] Thomas Cook India is a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Fairbridge Capital (Mauritius) Limited, and its controlled affiliates which holds 67.63% of the company.[5]

Thomas Cook India
Company typePublic Limited Company
NSETHOMASCOOK[1]
BSE500413[2]
IndustryTourism
Hospitality
Founded1881; 143 years ago (1881)
FounderThomas Cook
Headquarters
Thomas Cook (India) Limited, Thomas Cook Building, Dr D.N. Road, Mumbai–400001
,
India
ProductsPackage Holidays
Foreign Exchange
Revenue412.58Cr (2015)
OwnerFairfax Financial (2013-)[3]
Thomas Cook Group (2007-2013)
Thomas Cook AG (2001-2007)
Thomas Cook & Son (1881-2001)
Number of employees
2944 (December 2015)
Websitewww.thomascook.in

History

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Thomas Cook had many ventures including the invention of the world's package tour in 1841, the first pre-paid hotel coupon in 1868, creation of the first holiday brochure in 1858, and conceptualization of the first Travellers Cheques in 1874.[6]

In 1881, Thomas Cook started its India operations in Bombay (later renamed Mumbai), and in October 1978, saw it christened Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. The company made its first public issue in February 1983, and commenced operations in Mauritius in 2000. In the same year, they acquired the Sri Lanka business from Thomas Cook Overseas Ltd, UK.[7]

In 2006, Thomas Cook India Limited acquired LKP Forex Limited and Travel Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd. (TCI).

In May 2012, Fairbridge Capital (Mauritius) Limited acquired Thomas Cook India, and became a part of Fairfax Group, Canada.[8]

In 2013, Thomas Cook India Limited acquired Quess Corp (formerly known as Ikya Group - HR, IT Services, Facilities Management, Food Services, Skill Development),[9] and Sterling Holiday Resorts.[10]

In 2015, Thomas Cook Lanka Pvt. Ltd. (a subsidiary of Thomas Cook India Limited) acquired Luxe Asia Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka,[11] a regional Destination Management Company handling inbound tourists from globally generating markets to its destinations. In the same year, TCIL announced the acquisition of Kuoni Travel (India) Private Limited, a travel operator in India, and Kuoni Travel (China) Limited, a travel operator in Hong Kong.[12]

In September 2017, Thomas Cook acquired Tata Capital's forex and travel business.[13] In the aftermath of the collapse of Thomas Cook in the UK, the Indian namesake was considering rebranding itself to avoid the negative perception caused by the collapse of the UK travel company.[14]

Number Year Description Ref(s)
1 2019 The collapse of Thomas Cook India's former parent Thomas Cook Group causes major confusion to Indian customers, who were assumed that Thomas Cook India had also entered liquidation proceedings (by the United Kingdom Government) [citation needed]
2 2019 Thomas Cook India Ltd Opens New Outlet In Punjab [15]
3 2016 Thomas Cook taps into India's m-commerce growth opportunity launches India's first end-to-end Holiday-App [16]
4 2016 Thomas Cook India targets Tier III growth markets via small tech assisted outlets [17]
5 2015 Thomas Cook India Acquired Sri Lanka Based Luxe Asia [18]
6 2015 Announced Closure of Kuoni Travel India Private Limited Company [19]
7 2015 Acquisition of Kuoni Group's Travel Business in India [20]
8 2015 Launched Thomas Cook One Currency Card [21]
9 2015 Launched Thomas Cook Forex Mobile App [22]
10 2013 Acquisition of Stake in Quess Corp [23]
11 2012 Acquisition of 76.81% Stake by Fairbridge in Thomas Cook (India) Limited from Thomas Cook UK and TCIM and subsequent announcement of open offer [24]
12 2012 Incorporation of Thomas Cook Lanka (Private) Limited, a 100% Subsidiary of the Company [25]
13 2012 Launch of Borderless Prepaid Multicurrency Forex Card [26]
14 2011 Signed an agreement for marketing and distribution of borderless prepaid multicurrency foreign exchange card [27]
15 2011 Incorporation of TC Visa Services(India) Limited in Maharashtra, a wholly owned Subsidiary of Travel Corporation (India) Limited, which is a 100% Subsidiary of the Company [28]
16 2010 Execution of a Seven Year Arrangement with New Delhi International Airport [29]
17 2010 Launch of 9 Foreign Exchange and Travel Counters [30]
18 2009 Issue of 50,650,699 Shares through a Rights Issue by Thomas Cook (India) Limited [31]
19 2008 Acquisition of 74.9% Stake by Thomas Cook UK and TCIM in Thomas Cook (India) Limited [32]
20 2007 Thomas Cook India Limited & LKP Forex Merger [33]
21 2006 100% acquisition of Travel Corporation (India) Limited by Thomas Cook (India) Limited [34]
22 2005 100% Acquisition by Dubai Financial (LLC) of TCIM [35]
23 2000 Commencement of Operations in Sri Lanka [36]
25 1983 Listing of Thomas Cook India Limited on BSE Pursuant [37]
26 1978 Conversion of the branch office into a private limited company [38]
27 1881 Thomas Cook & Son opens its first branch office in Bombay [38]
 
Thomas Cook India logo, as per British logo used between 2001 – 2013

Rebrand 2022

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At the end of 2022, Thomas Cook India rebranded the business with a new logo, replacing the 2001 – 2013 British logo.

References

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  1. ^ NSE "NSE of India - Thomas Cook India"
  2. ^ BSE "BSE of India - Thomas Cook India"
  3. ^ "Why Thomas Cook (India) is not affected by Thomas Cook's collapse". Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  4. ^ "Thomas Cook Travel Agency Locations" Vedding
  5. ^ "Thomas Cook India About Us". Thomas Cook India. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  6. ^ "Thomas Cook - The Founder of Mass Tourism" Pravda Report
  7. ^ "Thomas Cook History" Business Standard
  8. ^ "Thomas Cook India Grows through Acquisitions" The Hindu, 11 August 2015
  9. ^ "Thomas Cook India Arm Quess Corp to Acquire 49% Stake" Times of India, 1 June 2015
  10. ^ "Mumbai HC Approves TCIL and Sterling Holiday Resorts Merger" Business Standard, 14 July 2015
  11. ^ "Thomas Cook India Acquires Luxe Asia" Money Control
  12. ^ "Thomas Cook Acquires Kuoni India" Business Standard, 8 August 2015
  13. ^ "With Tata Capital's travel, forex biz in the kitty, Thomas Cook eyes $100 m in extra volumes". @businessline. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  14. ^ "Thomas Cook collapse: To avoid links with UK namesake, Indian unit may change its name". India Today. Ist. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  15. ^ "Thomas Cook India Ltd Opens new outlet at Ranjit Avenue in Amritsar", "Equity Bulls"
  16. ^ Thomas Cook taps into India's m-commerce growth opportunity Launches India?s first end-to-end Holiday-App "End to End Holiday App", "Value Research Online"
  17. ^ "Small Tech Assisted Outlets", "The Hindu Business Line"
  18. ^ "Thomas Cook India Acquires Luxe Asia", "Money Control"
  19. ^ "Thomas Cook India Announces Closure of Kuoni Travel India Pvt Ltd", "The Hindu Business Line"
  20. ^ Acquisition of Kuoni Group's travel business in India, Hong Kong by Thomas Cook (India) Limited "Thomas Cook Acquires Kuoni Group", "Economic Times"
  21. ^ "Thomas Cook India Launches One Currency Card", "Travelbiz Monitor", 3 December 2015
  22. ^ "Thomas Cook India Launches Forex App", "Travelbiz Monitor"
  23. ^ "Thomas Cook to acquire 74% stake in Ikya Human Capital Solutions for Rs 256 cr". New Delhi: The Indian Express. Press Trust of India. 6 February 2013.
  24. ^ "Acquisition of 76.8% stake by Fairbrige", "The Hindu Businessline"
  25. ^ "Incorporation of Thomas Cook Lanka", "Business Standard"
  26. ^ Launch of Borderless Prepaid Multicurrency Foreign Exchange Card "Launch of Borderless Prepaid Card"
  27. ^ "Thomas Cook Signed an Agreement for Marketing & Distribution of Borderless Forex Card", Money Control
  28. ^ "Thomas Cook India Collaborates with Mastercard", "India Business Brief"
  29. ^ "Thomas Cook Enters into a Deal with Delhi Airport", "Hotelier India"
  30. ^ "Thomas Cook Enters a 7 Year Deal with Delhi International Airport" Franchise Mart
  31. ^ "Thomas Cook Official Shares Report"
  32. ^ "Fair Bridge Capital is Promoter of Thomas Cook India", "Business Today"
  33. ^ "Thomas Cook & LKP Forex Merger" Economic Times
  34. ^ "Thomas Cook India Company Profile", "India Infoline"
  35. ^ Thomas Cook India Reconstitutes Board
  36. ^ "Commencement of Operations in Sri Lanka"
  37. ^ Listing of Thomas Cook (India) Limited on BSE pursuant to an initial public offering "Thomas Cook Listed on BSE Pursuant" SEBI
  38. ^ a b "Thomas Cook History"