Thomas Cook plans more outlets, services

According to a report in livemint.com by P R Sanjai, Thomas Cook India Ltd, is turning around its business strategy to cope with increasing competition and fight off the lingering effects of an economic downturn. As part of the new model, the publicly traded firm is reaching out to consumers through urban malls, such as Phoenix Mills, InOrbit and Oberoi mall in Mumbai and new foreign currency outlets in Tier III cities that will also sell travel products.

Thomas Cook plans to add 52 outlets by July 2010, both in cities where it is already present and in new regions, taking the total number to 212. The new cities, which Thomas Cook India has identified for expansion are Bharuch, Vrindavan, Nawa Shahar, Karnal, Kapurthala and Bathinda in northern India; Nashik, Kolhapur and Bhopal in Western India; Salem, Tirupati, Thrissur, Kannur, Hubli, Udupi and Trichy in Southern India; and Gangtok in the North-East.

Madhavan Menon, Managing Director, Thomas Cook said, “Earlier, people used to come to us. Now, we are going to them, as packaged holidays are getting more complex and more people need personal touch.”