Thomas Cook (India) Limited has announced a major expansion of its prepaid forex card portfolio, adding 16 new currencies to create a comprehensive offering of 28 currencies. This development positions the company as having one of India's widest currency portfolios on a prepaid forex card, reinforcing its leadership in travel and forex innovation.

Comprehensive Currency Portfolio Expansion

The expansion addresses the evolving needs of Indian travelers who are increasingly exploring diverse international destinations. The newly added currencies enable direct local currency transactions, eliminating the need for multiple conversions that often result in higher costs and inconvenience.

The 16 newly added currencies include:

• Chinese Yuan
• Swedish Krona
• Vietnamese Dong
• Malaysian Ringgit
• Indonesian Rupiah
• Danish Krone
• Hong Kong Dollar
• Qatari Riyal
• Norwegian Krone
• Omani Riyal
• Kuwaiti Dinar
• Bahraini Dinar
• Bangladeshi Taka
• South African Rand
• South Korean Won
• Philippine Peso

Existing Currency Suite

These additions complement the company's existing portfolio of 12 currencies, which includes US Dollar, British Pound, Euro, Japanese Yen, Singapore Dollar, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Swiss Franc, UAE Dirham, Thai Baht, Saudi Riyal, and New Zealand Dollar.

Enhanced Distribution and Digital Integration

The expanded currency suite is available across Thomas Cook India's extensive omnichannel network, including retail outlets and digital platforms. A key feature is the partnership with Blinkit, enabling customers to purchase and load forex on their prepaid cards within an hour. The company also offers Forex on WhatsApp, providing 24x7 assistance from live rates to end-to-end transactions.

Industry Leadership Perspective

Deepesh Varma, Chief Business Officer – Foreign Exchange at Thomas Cook (India) Limited, emphasized the strategic importance of this expansion: "We are witnessing strong and sustained growth in travel demand from Indian consumers to emerging and short-haul destinations across Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa and beyond. Our expansion to 28 currencies for our prepaid Forex Cards is a direct response to evolving travel patterns."

Ravi Datla, Senior Vice President, Customer Solutions, South Asia at Mastercard, highlighted the significance of accessible payment solutions as international travel diversifies into newer markets. Sridhar Keppurengan, Head of Cross-Border Payments, India and South Asia at Visa, noted that the expansion leverages Visa's international footprint to extend security and convenience to cardholders making cross-border transactions.

Strategic Market Response

The expansion reflects Thomas Cook India's response to changing travel patterns, particularly the growing preference for destinations aligned with strengthening bilateral relations, increased trade flows, and expanding air connectivity. The inclusion of currencies such as the Chinese Yuan demonstrates the company's commitment to staying ahead of evolving travel trends and supporting India's increasingly experimental approach to holiday destination selection.

Thomas Cook India has announced the launch of a comprehensive visa rejection insurance cover, marking a significant expansion in its travel insurance portfolio. The new product has been developed in partnership with SOTC Travel and is underwritten by ICICI Lombard General Insurance.

Product Details and Coverage

The visa rejection insurance cover is designed to provide financial protection to travelers who face visa denials for their planned international trips. This insurance product addresses a critical gap in travel planning, where visa rejections can result in substantial financial losses for travelers.

Strategic Partnership

The collaboration between Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel leverages the combined expertise of both travel companies to deliver enhanced insurance solutions. ICICI Lombard General Insurance brings its underwriting capabilities and financial backing to ensure reliable coverage for policyholders.

Market Impact

This launch represents Thomas Cook India's commitment to providing comprehensive travel solutions beyond traditional booking services. The visa rejection insurance cover addresses a specific pain point for international travelers, potentially reducing the financial risks associated with visa application processes.

The introduction of this insurance product demonstrates the company's focus on expanding its ancillary services and creating additional value propositions for its customer base in the competitive travel industry.