Thomas Cook has expanded its airport foreign exchange network by opening counters at Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram. The move strengthens its presence in Visakhapatnam and the wider Andhra Pradesh region.

The expansion aligns with the company’s strategy to capture demand from emerging markets. According to the India Forex Report 2026, Tier 2 cities account for 41% of overall forex demand, while Tier 3 cities contribute a further 12%. Together, these segments represent 53% of total demand.

Strategic Expansion

Visakhapatnam is emerging as a key aviation gateway. The new airport is expected to handle over 28 lakh domestic and international passengers annually. It currently offers international connectivity to the UAE and Singapore, with potential for additional Southeast Asian routes.

This addition complements recent network enhancements elsewhere. In Delhi, the company reopened forex counters at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 in June and July 2026. Multiple new counters were also launched earlier this year at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.

What the Numbers Show

The data highlights a structural shift in customer geography. With Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets combining for more than half of all forex transactions, the company’s physical footprint expansion directly targets its largest growth engine. Leisure travel remains the primary driver of outbound forex usage, followed by employment-related travel.

Transaction mix also includes reconversion services for NRIs and foreign nationals converting unspent Indian currency back into foreign currency, alongside student travel requirements. This diversity supports stable transaction volumes across varying travel cycles.

Deepesh Varma, Chief Business Officer – Foreign Exchange, noted that the next phase of growth will increasingly come from Emerging India. The company plans to continue evaluating strategic opportunities to build a stronger presence across evolving travel corridors.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited reported that India's travel calendar is expanding beyond traditional peak seasons, with September and October witnessing stronger traveller interest. The company highlighted a shift in consumer behaviour towards shoulder seasons.

Thomas Cook stated that this growing demand adds to established festive and year-end peaks, creating a broader travel calendar. The filing was made under Regulation 30 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, on September 15, 2026.

Shift in Travel Patterns

The company noted that seasonality has begun to even out, with shoulder periods witnessing healthy demand. Travellers are showing greater flexibility in deciding when to holiday, making September and October an additional period for short breaks and family holidays. This trend is driven by multiple holidays, long weekends, and changing travel preferences.

Rajeev Kale, President and Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa at Thomas Cook, said Indian travel has traditionally been defined by pronounced peaks. He noted a more even distribution of demand in recent years, with consumers no longer waiting for major holiday seasons to plan trips.

Domestic and International Opportunities

Domestically, festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, Durga Puja, and Dussehra create opportunities to combine celebrations with holidays. The post-monsoon transition also makes the period attractive for nature, wildlife, and wellness holidays across India.

Internationally, the period coincides with seasonal transitions in Europe and favourable conditions in Asian destinations including Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea. Easier visa processes are further facilitating shorter breaks and spontaneous getaways.

Value and Experience Focus

The appeal of travelling during these months is increasingly about value rather than just savings. Travel outside busiest periods can offer competitive options for flights and accommodation, allowing travellers to allocate budgets towards premium experiences or curated activities. Lighter crowds at select destinations enable a more relaxed experience.

S.D. Nandakumar, President and Country Head – Holidays and Corporate Tours at SOTC Travel, said the September–October period offers natural advantages through festivals and public holidays. He noted that travellers are using these opportunities for family leisure and experience-led travel, creating an additional layer of demand before Diwali and Christmas–New Year periods.