Thomas Cook (India) Limited's wholly owned subsidiary, Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, has announced the launch of two new properties: Sterling Hibis Vellore in Tamil Nadu and Sterling Darshan Guruvayur in Kerala, strengthening its presence in both states.

Vellore Property

The new 40-key Sterling Hibis Vellore is strategically located on a 5.3-acre estate off Tiruvannamalai Road. It features:

• 36 Classic Rooms and 4 Suites with a villa-style layout
• Orchid Restaurant, showcasing Arcot Nawabi heritage flavors and global cuisines
• Iris Bar, offering signature cocktails and light bites
• A full-service spa and fitness center
• A 2,500 sq. ft. swimming pool with a dedicated kids' section

Event Facilities

The resort caters to various events with its:

• Grand Banquet Hall accommodating up to 150 guests
• Expansive party lawn for up to 600 people

Strategic Location

Sterling Hibis Vellore is well-connected, situated:

• 3 hours from Chennai Airport
• 20 minutes from Vellore Cantt Railway Station
• 30 minutes from Katpadi Junction

Guruvayur Property

Sterling Darshan Guruvayur, the company's second property in the pilgrimage town, features:

• 30 rooms
• Proximity to the Sri Krishna Temple
• Annapoorani Restaurant
• Spiritual experiences
• Kalyan Mandapam venue with capacity for 300 guests for weddings and events

Expansion and Presence

• Sterling now has 9 resorts in Tamil Nadu and 11 in Kerala
• The company operates over 65 properties across 55 destinations in India
• Total operational keys exceed 3,400
• Sterling becomes the national brand with the largest number of keys in Guruvayur
• 10 properties now in pilgrimage destinations

Management Perspective

Vikram Lalvani, MD & CEO of Sterling Holiday Resorts, commented on the expansions:

"Sterling Hibis Vellore embodies our vision of offering urban travellers the best of both worlds—a tranquil resort setting within city limits, tailored equally for leisure and business. From pilgrims and medical visitors to families and corporates, this property is designed to meet every need with warmth and authenticity."

Regarding the Guruvayur property, Lalvani noted that the expansion aligns with increasing spiritual tourism trends.

These launches underscore Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited's commitment to expanding its footprint in key destinations across India, catering to a wide range of travelers and their diverse needs. As part of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, the company continues to strengthen its position in the Indian hospitality sector with these strategic expansions.

Thomas Cook India (TCIL), a leading omnichannel foreign exchange service provider, has taken a significant leap in digital innovation with the launch of its new mobile application, TC Pay. This cutting-edge app, available on both Android and Apple platforms, is set to revolutionize foreign exchange services for Indian travelers.

Comprehensive Forex Solutions at Your Fingertips

TC Pay offers an integrated one-stop solution for a range of foreign exchange services, including:

• Buying and reloading forex cards
• Buying and selling currencies
• Sending international remittances

The app's user-friendly interface and advanced features cater to the needs of today's mobile-first Indian traveler, providing a seamless experience for all forex-related transactions.

Key Features and Benefits

1. Enhanced Speed: TC Pay boasts transaction speeds that are 30% faster compared to previous methods, thanks to smart navigation and a "save for future use" feature.

2. All-in-One Card Management: Users can easily view card statements, manage card controls, set limits, and block cards through a single, intuitive interface.

3. Multi-Currency Wallet: The app supports up to 12 global currencies, offering flexibility and potential savings on cross-currency fluctuations for international travelers.

4. Virtual Card: Instant access to a virtual card for secure digital payments.

5. Top-tier Security: Biometric authentication ensures the safety of users' transactions and personal information.

6. Instant Support: In-app WhatsApp chat and calling functionality for quick query resolution and personalized assistance.

Aligning with Digital Trends

The launch of TC Pay aligns with the global shift towards mobile-based financial transactions. According to recent reports, mobile-based remittances now account for 60% of all digital transfers. In India, over 93% of consumers use digital payment methods, with 9 out of 10 managing at least one financial task online.

Strategic Move in Digital Transformation

Deepesh Varma, Executive Vice President - Foreign Exchange at Thomas Cook (India) Limited, commented on the launch: "With TC Pay, we've launched yet another consumer empowering innovation – offering our range of forex services under one intuitive app, for a truly seamless experience. Additionally, this strategic move aims at leveraging technology to extend our reach beyond the physical/retail network, to unlock high potential new/underleveraged markets."

The introduction of TC Pay is part of Thomas Cook India's broader digital-first strategy, which has already seen a 2.5x growth in Forex by WhatsApp transactions and a 40% increase across all digital channels.

As India's largest non-bank foreign exchange services provider, serving over a million customers annually, Thomas Cook India continues to solidify its position as "India ka Forex Specialist" through ongoing innovation and customer-centric solutions.

The TC Pay app represents a significant step forward in the digitalization of forex services, offering Indian travelers unprecedented convenience, security, and efficiency in managing their foreign exchange needs.