Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel partner with Booking.com to offer corporate clients world-class accommodation solutions to enhance their business travel experience

Mumbai, March, 2026: Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel management company and its group company SOTC Travel have announced a strategic partnership with Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel platforms, to deliver comprehensive and enhanced accommodation solutions for Indian corporates. The focus is simple: consumer-level breadth with corporate-level controls, transparent pricing and India-specific servicing.

Booking.com’s accommodation content is live on Thomas Cook India and SOTC’s corporate booking tool, giving business clients immediate access to a vast network of over 31 million reported listings across 220+ countries and territories, including India. This collaboration offers an unparalleled selection ranging from world-class hotels and resorts to homes and apartments, all supported by seamless integration into enterprise travel approval systems, enterprise-specific rates, loyalty benefits, and easy, real-time, on-the-go access through digital applications.

The program addresses the top requests of India’s business travel and procurement heads: wider choice while staying within company travel policies, invoice integrity with GST compliance, safer stays for diverse traveller profiles, and service support that goes beyond standard online booking platforms. 

Key features of this tool include:

• Price transparency at scale: property-issued invoices that provide a clear audit trail for finance teams, eliminating hidden markups

• Segment-wise curation: tailored content sets for SMEs, mid-market, and large enterprises, tuned for Indian metros, fast-growing tier 2 and 3 cities, and international destinations

• Content depth and coverage: practical reach across 2,500+ Indian cities and towns, complemented by Booking.com’s global selection across 220+ countries and territories and a growing set of long-stay options curated for enterprise use

• Business-friendly stays: providing access to properties with verified traveller reviews and essential business amenities to enhance traveller productivity

• Enterprise support and escalation: a co-developed servicing model for booking changes, clarifications, and coordination offering a level of support beyond standard online travel agency processes

• Integrated policy control: policy budgets, approvals, credit-limit management, and real-time updates for a seamless desktop and mobile experience

Indiver Rastogi, President & Group Head, Global Business Travel, Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel, said, “Business travel programs today are evolving toward greater choice, flexibility and transparency. Through our partnership with Booking.com we are redefining accommodation access — expanding global choice while enhancing the compliance and servicing framework that enterprises require. By combining Booking.com’s breadth of inventory with Thomas Cook and SOTC’s managed corporate booking environment, along with future integration into our TravelOne platform, we are delivering policy control, price transparency and the level of service support that businesses demand. Our roadmap for this collaboration includes rate activation, long-stay solutions and city-wise safety clusters ensuring that travellers, travel managers and finance teams alike see tangible value.”

Mark van der Linden, VP Partnerships, Booking.com, said, “As India’s business travel sector undergoes a significant digital transformation, corporate travellers are demanding the same diversity of choice and seamlessness they enjoy in their personal travels, but with the necessary guardrails of corporate compliance. This partnership with Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel is a strategic step in making Booking.com’s extensive global inventory truly ‘enterprise-ready’ for the Indian market. By integrating our vast selection of accommodations with Thomas Cook and SOTC Travel’s robust online booking platforms, we are providing Indian businesses with a solution that prioritizes transparency, localised services and the flexibility today’s professionals require.”

This collaboration reflects a wider industry shift toward deeper alignment between global platforms and travel management companies, bringing consumer-grade choice into compliant, supportable corporate programs.

About Booking.com:

Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com’s mission is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. By investing in the technology that helps take the friction out of travel, Booking.com’s marketplace seamlessly connects millions of travellers with memorable experiences every day. For more information, follow @bookingcom on social media or visit globalnews.booking.com. 

Media Enquiries: 

Urvi Thakkar I + 91 9821140314 I urvi.thakkar@booking.com

Payal Yadava I +91 8826753950 | IN-booking@allisonworldwide.com 

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, and Visa Services. It operates leading B2C and B2B brands including Thomas Cook, SOTC, TCI, SITA, Asian Trails, Allied TPro, Australian Tours Management, Desert Adventures, 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 28 countries across 5 continents.

TCIL has been felicitated with MICE Powerhouse at MaxiiiMICE Awards 2025, Outbound Travel Operator of the Year (2024) and MICE Travel Operator of the Year (2024 & 2023) at The Economic Times Travel & Tourism Annual Awards, MICE Travel Agency (Outbound) at the Economic Times MICE & Wedding Tourism Awards 2024, 'Masters of Risk - Travel & Hospitality' at India Risk Management Awards 2024, MICE Tour Operator of the Year - Outbound at SATTE 2024, Best Tour Operator at India Travel Awards North 2023, winner of the Corporate Citizen Award (Travel Tourism & Hospitality) at the Corporate Citizen Conclave & Award 2023, The Outbound Tour Operator of the Year 2022 at the SATTE Awards, IAMAI India Digital Awards 2022, CNBC-TV18 & ICICI Lombard India Risk Management Award - Travel & Leisure Category 2022 & 2021, CIO100 Award for digital innovation 2022.

CRISIL has upgraded the rating on debt programs and bank facilities of TCIL - ‘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. The highest rating for a travel & tourism company in India.

For more information, please visit www.thomascook.in  

Fairbridge Capital (Mauritius) Limited, a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, is the promoter of TCIL with a shareholding of 63.83% of its paid-up capital.

About Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited: 

Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited is a holding company which, through its subsidiaries, is primarily engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and the associated investment management. Founded in 1985 by the present Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. V. 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 (TCIL):

Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited

Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of TCIL is a leading leisure hospitality company with over 55 resorts, hotels and retreats across 48 locations in India covering hills, beaches, jungles, waterfront, adventure, heritage, pilgrimage and drive-to locations. Sterling provides a variety of offerings: Leisure holidays through FIT packages, Meetings & Conferences, Weddings, Reunions, Picnics and Holidays.

SOTC Travel Limited

SOTC Travel Limited is a step-down subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings held through its Indian listed subsidiary, Thomas Cook (India) Limited (TCIL). SOTC Travel is a leading omnichannel travel and tourism company active across various travel segments including Leisure Travel, Incentive Travel and Business Travel. 

Established in 1949, SOTC is an Indian-grown brand with a legacy of over 75 years. Since then, it has escorted millions of travellers across the globe to various destinations around the globe. The Company firmly believes that today, ‘No one understands the Indian Traveller better than SOTC’.

Travel Corporation (India) Limited

Travel Corporation (India) Limited (TCI) (operating brands Sita, TCI and Distant Frontiers), a wholly owned subsidiary of TCIL, is the leading Destination Management Company in India that offers tailor-made travel and related services to India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

DEI Holdings Limited

Thomas Cook India Group holds 51% stake in DEI Holdings Limited (DEI), one of the world’s leading imaging solutions and services providers.

For more information, visit: 

Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited: http://www.sterlingholidays.com  

SOTC Travel Limited: http://www.sotc.in  

Media Enquiries: 

Suzanne Pereira | +91 9820297665 | suzanne.pereira@thomascook.in 

Shourya Rawool | +91 9619745154 | shourya.rawool@thomascook.in  

Ancy Johnas | +91 7678042720 | ancy.johnas@sotc.in 

Thomas Cook India & SOTC Travel launch Business Travel Report 2026

Mumbai, February, 2026: Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company, and its group company, SOTC Travel, have released their Business Travel Report 2026, offering insights into the evolving priorities, patterns and pressures shaping business travel across India.

The survey conducted over a two-month period, is based on responses received from 25+ leading enterprises across sectors including BFSI, manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, conglomerates and professional services, along with insights from internal booking and transactional data. The report highlights a strong revival in business travel demand, alongside a heightened focus on cost optimization, policy discipline, traveller experience and compliance.

Business Travel Trend Report 2026 key observations:

• Business travel demand remains resilient: Nearly 65% of corporates expect their business travel volumes to increase over the next 12 months, while 30% expect it to remain stable. Only 5% anticipate a decline. This translates to 95% of respondents projecting stable-to-growth spend, underlining travel’s continued role in driving growth, client engagement and business continuity. Client meetings, sales-related travel and internal business-critical movement continue to dominate business travel demand.

• Technology and data-led decision-making on the rise: More than 70% of corporates are increasing their reliance on digital tools for booking, approvals, expense management and MIS reporting, enabling improved visibility, policy compliance and data-backed decision-making across business travel programs.

• Shift towards value-driven travel management: While cost optimization remains critical, over 62% of respondents highlighted a move towards value-led travel decisions — balancing cost efficiency with safety, reliability, compliance and traveller well-being. This has elevated the role of managed travel programs and strategic travel partners.

• Traveller experience, flexibility and duty of care gain prominence: Alongside business objectives, over 56% of respondents acknowledged the growing importance of traveller experience, flexibility and duty of care — particularly for frequent flyers and senior leadership. The findings point to a clear trade-off between traveller convenience and policy compliance, underscoring the need for smarter, more flexible travel policies supported by technology and data-led controls to reduce friction while maintaining governance.

• Policy tightening and supplier renegotiations gain momentum: Close to 60% of corporates indicated that they have tightened or are in the process of revisiting their travel policies. Renegotiation of airline and hotel contracts, rationalization of preferred suppliers and stricter approval workflows have emerged as key levers to offset rising costs and tax-related pressures.

• B-Leisure travel on the rise: 68% of corporates report that employees are increasingly extending business trips to include personal leisure time — blending work and downtime. This growing shift is prompting organizations to reassess travel policies, clarify cost‑sharing norms and offer greater flexibility to support work‑plus‑leisure travel. 

• Domestic hubs dominate, with growth in international business travel: 72% of corporate travel continues to be domestic, led by key business hubs such as Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune. These cities remain critical for client meetings, internal reviews and project-based travel. On the international front, Singapore, Thailand, Hong-Kong, Maldives, Dubai-Abu Dhabi, UK, Italy, Netherlands, USA, South Africa and Australia remain preferred destinations for leadership meetings, supplier engagements and strategic business expansion —with China and Japan emerging strongly on the radar.

• Rising airfares and costs driving sharper controls: A sharp 80% of respondents reported an increase in Average Ticket Prices (ATP) over the past year — with over 36% witnessing a significant rise of more than 15%, and 45% reporting a moderate increase of 5–15%, highlighting tighter controls, advance booking mandates and closer monitoring of travel spends.

• GST and input tax credit challenges add pressure to travel budgets: GST-related complexities continue to weigh on business travel programs. Over 55% of respondents highlighted challenges around GST applicability, compliance and input tax credit (ITC) optimization — particularly for air travel and hotel stays. This has led corporates to increasingly seek structured invoicing, compliant supplier ecosystems and expert support to minimize leakage and improve tax efficiency.

Indiver Rastogi, President & Group Head, Global Business Travel, Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel, said, “We are pleased to launch the Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel Business Travel Report 2026, which presents a comprehensive view of how leading Indian corporates are recalibrating travel strategies in an increasingly dynamic environment. The findings highlight a clear shift towards value-driven programs, accelerated technology adoption and tighter governance. At Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel, our sustained engagement with customers and deep market understanding have enabled us to anticipate shifts early and introduce innovations such as Dhruv.ai, our voice-enabled AI advisor, and TravelOne, our integrated booking and management platform — helping create smarter, policy-aligned and technology-enabled travel ecosystems. As business travel continues to evolve amid economic, regulatory and technological changes, we aim to publish this report regularly to equip industry stakeholders with actionable insights that support informed, future-ready decision-making.”

Thomas Cook India & SOTC Travel ink MOU with Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority

Long term strategic partnership to maximize the India market opportunity

Mumbai, February, 2026: In a strategic initiative to boost travel to Mauritius from the high-potential India market, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s premier omnichannel travel services provider, and its group company, SOTC Travel, have signed a MOU with Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA). This strategic collaboration will ensure focus on growing Mauritius’ visibility and inspiring visitation from the India market. The MOU was signed by Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head at Thomas Cook (India) Limited, Mr. S.D. Nandakumar - President  & Country Head - Holidays and Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel Limited, and Mr. Benoît Harter – Director, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority in the presence of Mr. Dinesh Burrenchobay – Chairman, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority.

Beyond its pristine beaches, turquoise lagoons and lush landscapes, the partnership will spotlight Mauritius’ rich Creole heritage and vibrant cultural tapestry—reflected in its cuisine, festivals and religious diversity. With deep-rooted cultural links to India, the destination offers a familiar yet distinctive appeal for Indian travellers, supported by visa-free access, short flight durations and a wide spectrum of premium to value-driven resorts, making the destination is a preferred choice for honeymoons, multi-generational families, Young India’s millennials & GenZ, GenS and leisure travellers. Mauritius is also gaining prominence for MICE and corporate travel, with world-class convention facilities, luxury resorts offering integrated meeting infrastructure and distinctive team-building experiences set against stunning natural backdrops.

This multi-pronged collaboration will focus on destination knowledge & education, product development and Marcomm to position Mauritius as a top-of-mind destination across India’s metro, mini-metro and Tier 2 and 3 markets.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, said, “We are delighted to be appointed by the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority as a strategic partner for the Indian market. Our partnership intents leverage on Thomas Cook India’s omnichannel strength, destination expertise and extensive reach, to showcase Mauritius’ evolving proposition across leisure, MICE and business travel. We aim to tap into India’s metros as well as the strongly emerging Tier 2 and 3 markets.”

Mr. S.D. Nandakumar - President  & Country Head - Holidays and Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel Limited, said, “The signing of our MOU with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority marks a significant milestone in positioning Mauritius as a truly multifaceted destination. Beyond its scenic allure, Mauritius offers a compelling blend of French influence, Creole heritage, vibrant culture, diverse religious traditions and a distinctive culinary landscape—creating a deep cultural connect with Indian travellers. This partnership will enable us to showcase the destination’s depth and diversity, while driving sustained demand across leisure, honeymoon, multi-generational families, MICE and corporate travel segments from India.”

Mr. Benoit Harter – Director, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, said, “We are delighted to work with Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel as part of our strategy to grow the Indian market for Mauritius and accelerate visitation from both metro cities and regional markets. Our multipronged approach aims to leverage opportunities across the leisure and MICE segments through this partnership. We look forward to working closely with Thomas Cook and SOTC

Thomas Cook India Group registers Q1 FY25 PBT of Rs. 1073 Mn*; 17% growth over Q1 FY24

Consolidated Gross & EBITDA Margins sustained

Key Highlights (Q1 FY25):

• Consolidated Q1 FY25 PBT of Rs. 1073 Mn* Vs Rs. 914 Mn; 17% growth YoY

• Thomas Cook (Standalone) PBT growth of 29% YoY at Rs. 740 Mn* Vs Rs. 574 Mn

• Overseas Destination Management Companies reflect turnaround with EBITDA at Rs. 28 Mn Vs a loss of Rs. (44) Mn in Q1 FY24

• The Group continues to maintain a strong financial position, adding Rs. 3.49 Bn during the quarter, with Cash & Bank balances at Rs. 18.67 Bn as of June 30, 2024

• CRISIL upgrades Thomas Cook India’s Rating Outlook to ‘Positive’. Reaffirms Company’s Ratings at CRISIL AA-/Positive & CRISIL A1+

• The PAT for the quarter has been impacted on account of a higher tax liability

Travel Services

• Leisure Travel: Growth in sales 21% YoY for Q1 FY25

• MICE: 20% Sales growth for Q1 FY25 (excluding one time contracts in Q1 FY24)

• Corporate Travel transactions grew by 31% for Q1 FY25

• India DMS: 58% Sales growth YoY for Q1 FY25

• Overseas DMS: 26% Sales growth YoY for Q1 FY25

Forex

• Launched EnterpriseFX card - India’s first eco-friendly prepaid corporate card

• Retail growth: led by overseas education 21% YoY; holiday forex 10% YoY for Q1 FY25

• Card loads increased 13% YoY

Hospitality (Sterling Holidays)

• Growth in sales: 9% YoY for Q1 FY25

• Occupancy at 69% for Q1 FY25

• New resorts launched in Q1: Udaipur (3rd in Udaipur; 6th in Rajasthan) and Dehradun (6th in Uttarakhand).

• Sterling continues to be debt- free company; with a strong cash position of over Rs. 2000 Mn

• The PAT for the quarter has been impacted on account of a higher tax liability

Digital Imaging Solutions (DEI)

• Q1 FY25: 13 new partnerships signed (UAE, Malaysia, Indonesia, Maldives, India, Bahrain, Macau)

• Renewal of 8 key partnerships in Maldives, Indonesia, Thailand, UAE and Egypt

• Operational launch of 10 partnerships in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Indonesia and India

Mr. Madhavan Menon, Executive Chairman, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Thomas Cook India has delivered a good all round performance for Q1 FY25 reporting a consolidated PBT of Rs. 1073 Mn (excluding non-operating MTM gains) that reflects a healthy 17% growth over Q1 FY24. This has been a result of a solid performance across our businesses, despite multiple headwinds during the period, including the Indian General elections - that delayed travel plans & heatwaves across most of the country. Our forward booking funnel indicates that we may have the benefits of an extended holiday season and are well poised to deliver sustainable growth in the quarters ahead.”

Thomas Cook (India) Limited delivers Record Operating Profits for FY23 Driven by Robust Recovery across business segments

Highlights for FY23

·     The Group’s Operating EBITDA grew significantly to Rs. 2.7 Bn for FY23 against a loss of Rs. 1.2 Bn in FY22. Growth driven by Foreign Exchange & Travel Businesses (Thomas Cook); Hospitality (Sterling Holidays)

·     Highest Operating EBITDA & Operating PBT for Thomas Cook in a decade. Operating EBITDA at Rs. 1.2 Bn for FY23; Operating PBT at Rs. 560 Mn Vs a loss of Rs. 1.14 Bn in FY22

·     Sterling Holidays registered Highest EBITDA & PBT since inception: EBITDA at Rs 1.1 Bn for FY23; PBT at Rs. 659 Mn Vs Rs. 436 Mn in FY22

·     Consolidated Total Income from Operations grew YoY by 163% in FY23 to Rs. 51 Bn

·     Robust growth across all business segments in FY23; Income from operations growth (YoY): Forex: 123%, Travel: 248%, Hospitality (Sterling Holidays): 36%, Digital Imaging Solutions (DEI): 72%

·     Focus on Cost Optimization saw annualized savings of Rs.3.71 Bn for FY23, representing a 20% reduction in costs Vs FY20 (Pre Pandemic). The Group maintains a strong financial position, with Cash & Bank balances of Rs. 10.1 Bn as of March 31, 2023 Highlights for Q4 FY23

·     The Group’s Operating EBITDA at Rs. 518 Mn Vs Rs. 239 Mn in FY22

·     Standalone Operating EBITDA for TCIL at Rs. 205 Mn Vs Rs. 28 Mn for Q4 FY22

·     For Q4 FY23 Consolidated Total Income from Operations grew by 150% YoY to Rs. 13.2 Bn