Thomas Cook (India) is evaluating whether to continue operating under the same Thomas Cook brand in the wake of collapse of Thomas Cook UK, or adopt a new one.
One of the options available is to buy out the brand, senior vice-president (holidays) of Thomas Cook (India) Romil Pant said, adding the decision will be taken at the right time by the company’s Board.
Thomas Cook India became a Fairfax company in 2012 and was paying a royalty to Thomas Cook UK for using the brand. “We have this brand till 2025… most likely the decision will be taken before that,” he told media here on Thursday. Following the collapse of Thomas Cook in UK, the Indian entity had said the UK firm had transferred its entire stake to Fairfax and from August 2012 ceased to be its promoter.
On whether there were moves by Thomas Cook (India) to buy the brand, he asked: “Who do we talk to? As far as Thomas Cook UK is concerned, it is under liquidation. So we will have to talk to the liquidator, but I think their priorities right now are very different after whatever has happened.”
Buying the brand is an “attractive decision… because the brand has served its value for years. Everybody recognises us [by the brand]. It is a tempting choice...,” he said.
Mr. Pant, who unveiled the ‘Summer 2020’ packages, said the company will be opening one office each in Hyderabad and Warangal soon. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were important markets and together had 14 offices at present.
To queries, he said in 2018 Thomas Cook (India) catered to 1.25 lakh people from India who travelled abroad and 75,000 domestic travellers. It expected a growth of 15-18% in 2019 as against the 20% registered last year.
