Thomas Cook (India) Limited and its group company SOTC Travel have partnered with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) to offer complimentary UAE entry visas for eligible Indian travellers. The collaboration aims to make holidays to Abu Dhabi more accessible through a limited-period Visa Subsidy Programme.

Thomas Cook and SOTC Travel are select travel partners for the initiative, under which DCT Abu Dhabi covers the full cost of UAE entry visas for eligible bookings. Customers booking leisure holiday packages with a minimum continuous three-night hotel stay in Abu Dhabi can avail of the complimentary visa at no additional cost.

The offer is applicable for eligible bookings made between August 1 and October 31, 2026, for travel until October 31, 2026. The programme is subject to applicable terms and conditions.

Partnership Details

The initiative reinforces the long-standing partnership between DCT Abu Dhabi, Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel. The companies aim to drive awareness and encourage more Indian travellers to experience Abu Dhabi’s cultural heritage, world-class attractions, family entertainment, adventure, luxury hospitality and immersive experiences.

India remains one of the largest source markets for international travel to Abu Dhabi. Through strategic collaborations with leading travel partners, Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its engagement with the Indian market by making travel planning more seamless, accessible and rewarding.

Leadership Commentary

Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa at Thomas Cook (India) Limited, said the partnership enables the company to curate enriching holiday experiences for Indian travellers. He noted that the complimentary UAE entry visa enhances the value proposition for customers booking eligible leisure holidays.

SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours at SOTC Travel, stated that Indian travellers seek holidays combining enriching experiences with exceptional value. He highlighted Abu Dhabi’s strong appeal across families, couples, young professionals and groups due to its diverse tourism offerings and year-round attractions.

Regulatory Disclosure

The press release was issued under Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. Amit J. Parekh, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer of Thomas Cook (India) Limited, signed the disclosure on August 14, 2026.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited launched the India Forex Report 2026 on August 12, 2026, revealing significant shifts in how Indian consumers purchase, carry, and spend foreign exchange. The report, based on the company’s transaction data from April 2025 to March 2026, indicates that emerging markets are reshaping the industry, with Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities collectively contributing 53% of total forex demand. This geographic diversification signals a broadening base for outbound travel and overseas education beyond traditional metropolitan centers.

The filing was submitted to the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange under Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. Amit J. Parekh, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer, signed the intimation. The data covers leisure travel, overseas education, and corporate travel segments, providing a comprehensive view of consumer behavior across demographics and payment preferences.

Demand Drivers and Geographic Shifts

Leisure travel remains the largest driver of forex demand, accounting for 57% of transactions, followed by corporate travel at 27% and overseas education at 16%. Geographically, Tier 1 cities account for 47% of demand, while Tier 2 cities contribute 41% and Tier 3 cities contribute 12%.

Demographically, consumers aged 25–40 years (37%) and 41–60 years (36%) dominate usage, together representing nearly three-fourths of the market. However, younger travelers aged 18–24 years are emerging as the fastest adopters of digital channels, despite constituting only 6% of the user base.

Digital Adoption and Payment Preferences

Digital forex adoption is accelerating, with 25% of customers now transacting via the website, app, WhatsApp, or quick commerce platforms. DIY platform usage has grown 50% year-on-year over the last two years. The average age of digital users is significantly lower than branch-assisted customers: 31 years for quick commerce versus 42 years for branch visits. Planning cycles have also shortened, with purchases now occurring 4–7 days before travel, down from 10–14 days previously.

In terms of payment methods, cash remains dominant for holiday travelers at 75% of transactions, but cards account for 39% of load value. Contactless and online transactions make up 57% of forex card usage. For corporate travelers, forex cards account for 84% of usage, with multi-currency cards comprising 76% of that segment.

Study Abroad and Corporate Insights

The study abroad market is diversifying, with Europe accounting for 38% of demand and the United States at 34%. University fees represent 81% of education-linked forex outflows. For living expenses, forex cards account for 73% of transactions and 72% of load value, indicating high reliance on card-based solutions for daily spending abroad.

Corporate forex demand is led by the IT/ITeS sector at 45%, followed by Auto/Auto-Ancillary at 14%. Europe remains the top corporate destination at 45%. Thomas Cook also highlighted its sustainability initiatives, noting that EnterpriseFx sustainable cards account for 76% of corporate card issuance, with each card having up to a 61% lower carbon footprint than standard cards.

What the Numbers Show

The divergence between transaction volume and load value for cards among leisure travelers suggests a strategic shift in spending behavior. While cash is used more frequently (75% of transactions), it likely covers smaller, incidental expenses, whereas cards handle larger, planned expenditures (39% of load value). This hybrid model indicates growing confidence in digital payment security for significant overseas purchases, even among traditional cash-users. Additionally, the rapid adoption of quick commerce for forex—driven by shorter planning cycles—highlights a structural change in how Indian travelers manage liquidity before departure.