As select travel partners for the programme, under which DCT Abu Dhabi covers the full cost of UAE entry visas for eligible bookings, the companies will enable eligible customers booking leisure holiday packages with a minimum continuous three-night hotel stay in Abu Dhabi to avail of a complimentary UAE entry visa at no additional cost. 

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

The initiative reinforces the long-standing partnership between DCT Abu Dhabi, Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel, reflecting a shared commitment to creating greater value for Indian travellers. 

By combining destination-led initiatives with the companies’ extensive omnichannel reach and holiday expertise, the collaboration aims to drive awareness and encourage more Indian travellers to experience Abu Dhabi’s unique blend of cultural heritage, world-class attractions, family entertainment, adventure, luxury hospitality and immersive experiences.

As one of India’s largest source markets for international travel, the country continues to play a key role in Abu Dhabi’s tourism growth strategy. Through strategic collaborations with leading travel partners such as Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel, Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its engagement with the Indian market by making travel planning more seamless, accessible and rewarding.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Rajeev Kale said: “Our long-standing partnership with Abu Dhabi has enabled us to curate enriching holiday experiences for Indian travellers consistently. 

“We are delighted to be among the select travel partners for Abu Dhabi’s Visa Subsidy Programme, which further enhances the value proposition for our customers. By offering a complimentary UAE entry visa  for eligible leisure holiday bookings, we are making it even more compelling for Indian travellers to explore Abu Dhabi’s diverse experiences—from iconic landmarks and cultural attractions to family entertainment, adventure and luxury.”

SOTC Travel, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours, SD Nandakumar, commented: “Indian travellers today seek holidays that combine enriching experiences with exceptional value. Abu Dhabi continues to enjoy strong appeal across families, couples, young professionals and groups, thanks to its diverse tourism offerings and year-round attractions. We are delighted to partner with DCT Abu Dhabi on this initiative, enabling eligible leisure travellers to enjoy the added value of a complimentary UAE entry visa.

We look forward to inspiring more Indian travellers to choose Abu Dhabi for their next international holiday.”

(Source: Thomas Cook India)

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The MOU was signed in the presence of Agoda CEO, Omri Morgenshtern and  STB Chief Executive Melissa Ow. This latest agreement entails a three-year commitment focused on promoting Singapore as a destination, deepening data and technology collaboration, and advancing industry development.

First established in 2022 and renewed in 2024, the partnership has evolved with each iteration to address shifting traveller behaviours and the increasingly central role of digital tools across the traveller journey. 

This latest expansion broadens the scope across four pillars: 

• joint marketing; 
• data strategy and insights; 
• thought leadership and innovation; 
• tech collaboration exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI). 

The signing builds on momentum established earlier this year. In May 2026, Agoda and STB launched a joint marketing campaign to support demand for Singapore amid global disruptions, while tapping into growing interest in short-haul regional travel. With strong participation from Singapore hotel partners, the campaign delivered encouraging results across target markets — a promising sign of what the partnership can achieve.

Ow commented: “The renewed collaboration presents the opportunity to tap on Agoda’s platform reach, traveller insights and technology capabilities to strengthen Singapore’s destination appeal in the digital space. The partnership also supports STB’s Tourism 2040 ambitions, with a mutual commitment to harness technology and raise industry capabilities for Singapore tourism.”

Morgenshtern added: “Agoda shares a bond with Singapore, and this expanded collaboration reflects our investment in the market’s digital future. We’re excited to bring our AI and analytics capabilities to this partnership, enabling STB to reach travellers more precisely while supporting the innovation priorities that benefit the entire Singapore tourism ecosystem.”

(Source: Agoda/STB)

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The hire marks the latest in senior leadership additions as CTS scales its position as the most powerful infrastructure layer behind branded travel and lifestyle programmes.

Anand joins CTS from MakeMyTrip (NASDAQ: MMYT), India’s largest travel platform, where he led product strategy and business performance for several of the platform’s highest-traffic businesses.

At MakeMyTrip, Anand repeatedly took businesses with no search visibility, no funnel, and no revenue model and built them into some of the platform’s strongest growth engines. He conceived industry-first products that raised the standard for traveller trust and was an early champion of AI-first product practices across the organisation.

‘We are deliberately bringing in leaders who have built and scaled at the highest level of the travel industry. Ishan has done exactly that – from zero to category-leading growth engines, and he’ll shape what CTS builds next for our partners and beyond,” said CTS Founder and CEO Mike Putman.

“CTS gives any brand the platform, the inventory, and the economics to turn travel into something rare: a loyalty experience their members genuinely value, and a revenue line the brand fully owns. That combination is what drew me in, and the platform is already building for where booking goes next as the industry becomes more AI-driven. I’ve spent my career turning platforms like this into trusted, category-leading businesses, and the chance to do that at CTS’s global scale made this an easy decision.” – Ishan Anand, VP of Product 

At CTS, Anand will lead product strategy and vision across the company’s platform, spanning its white-label travel loyalty infrastructure, AI-powered member experience, and an expanding suite of modules.

About Custom Travel Solutions
Custom Travel Solutions provides white-label travel loyalty and booking infrastructure to banks, membership organisations, fintech companies, publishers, and enterprise partners worldwide that want to grow loyalty, engagement, and non-dues revenue through travel.

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The outlet expands Thomas Cook India’s network to five locations in the city and 12 across Gujarat, strengthening access to its comprehensive portfolio of travel and holiday solutions.

Ahmedabad is a key travel market for Gujarat and the wider West India region, with travellers increasingly exploring new destinations and experiences through multiple short breaks, weekend getaways and public-holiday travel. The market also has a strong preference for group travel, regional departures and curated experiences tailored to local cultural and dietary preferences.

The new outlet will cater to families, couples, millennials & GenZ, business travellers and GenS (seniors), offering end-to-end solutions including domestic and international holidays, group tours, personalised holidays, cruises and travel insurance. 

Thomas Cook India’s AI-powered booking platform further enables customers to plan personalised vacations, check availability and make reservations seamlessly.

Ahmedabad-Gujarat travel trends

Year-round travel: Gujarati travellers are increasingly using public holidays and weekends for multiple short breaks and mini-cations beyond the traditional holiday season.

Strong preference for group travel: Gujarati-specific group tours remain popular, with travellers valuing Gujarati-speaking Tour Managers and vegetarian/Jain food preferences.

Gujarati-specific regional and festive tours: Departures such as Albelu Europe, Aneru Europe, and Adhbhut Asia are gaining popularity, offering curated experiences that cater to Gujarati language and cuisine preferences.

Growing spiritual tourism: Pilgrimage and spiritual travel continue to gain momentum, with Thomas Cook India strengthening its Spiritual Tourism portfolio to cater to this segment.

Distinctive experiences and destinations: Travellers are increasingly seeking differentiated experiences and exploring emerging destinations beyond conventional itineraries.

New connectivity-led opportunities: Improved air connectivity is opening up new outbound travel opportunities, with Sri Lanka emerging as an attractive option. Thomas Cook India has introduced special packages with direct flights to Sri Lanka ex-Ahmedabad, offering greater convenience to travellers.

(Source: Thomas Cook)

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The solution is designed for eligible Muslims who have the means to undertake the pilgrimage but prefer to spread its cost over time. This flexibility enables individuals and families to manage their cash flow responsibly, maintain regular savings and preserve sufficient liquidity for emergencies and other financial obligations.

The launch marks a significant milestone in Bettr’s Islamic finance initiative. It builds on Ant International’s long-term commitment to supporting Muslim communities worldwide with trusted, inclusive and technology-enabled financial services.

The financing solution uses a Tawarruq structure to provide eligible individuals with payment flexibility in accordance with Islamic finance principles. The process is facilitated by AS-SIDQ, SEDANIA As Salam Capital’s patented digital commodity trading platform for Tawarruq (Commodity Murabahah) transactions. Masryef Advisory Sdn has endorsed the structure. Bhd., an Islamic finance consultancy, to ensure its compliance with applicable Shariah principles.

As one of the world’s renowned Muslim lifestyle platforms, Muslim Pro has long supported Muslims throughout their faith journey, from daily worship to preparing for major milestones such as Umrah and Hajj. 

Recognising that financial readiness is often one of the biggest considerations when planning a pilgrimage, the partnership with Bettr enables eligible users in Malaysia to access trusted, Shariah-compliant financing as part of a more seamless pilgrimage planning experience.

Through Muslim Pro, eligible users in Malaysia can discover Umrah packages offered by participating partners, apply for digital financing, and select instalment tenures of 12 to 24 months, subject to applicable eligibility criteria and terms. Users may also settle their financing early in accordance with the applicable terms. Available packages range from standard to premium and may cover travel for individuals or families, including flights, accommodation, meals and ground transportation. 

The initiative responds to the accelerating adoption of digital technologies across Muslim communities. With a global Muslim population of around two billion, including about 22 million in Malaysia (about 65% of the country’s population), demand is rising for financial services seamlessly integrated into digital lifestyle platforms.

In Malaysia, many Umrah travellers are between 30 and 50 years old and support households of two to five members. For most of them, the cost is planned and saved for well in advance, and flexible repayment can help bridge the remaining gap without disrupting other financial commitments. In line with Islamic guidance that pilgrimage financing should never come at the expense of a family’s other obligations, this solution is intended for individuals and families who have assessed their ability to repay, offering a secure, Shariah-compliant way to manage the cost of their journey with peace of mind. 

This partnership combines Muslim Pro’s trusted digital ecosystem with Bettr’s Shariah-compliant financing capabilities to deliver a seamless Umrah planning experience. With user privacy and data security at the core, Bettr leverages credit risk models to assess each applicant’s repayment capability. This inclusive and secure approach lets Bettr serve a broader range of users, including gig workers and small business owners. 

“Millions of Muslims turn to Muslim Pro every day for guidance in their everyday lives, and increasingly, that includes planning meaningful moments like Umrah,” said Nafees Khundker, Group Managing Director and CEO, Muslim Pro. “We’re proud to work with Bettr to offer a responsible, Shariah-compliant way for individuals and families in Malaysia to plan their pilgrimage with confidence built on the same trust, privacy and care our community expects from us every day.” 

“We believe in what individuals and small businesses can achieve when they are properly supported, and our engagement in Islamic finance is driven by a deep faith in the power of technology to do good,” said Quan Yu, General Manager of Bettr Credit, Senior Vice President of Ant International. “Through partnerships with trusted platforms like Muslim Pro, we aim to scale innovative, Shariah-compliant digital financial products that reflect the Muslim community’s core values, building an inclusive system that leaves no one behind.”

(Source: Bettr)

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The feature forms part of continued enhancements to FCM Booking, FCM’s proprietary booking platform, and its ongoing global expansion — giving customers an easier, more intelligent booking experience.

Conversational booking is made possible by FCM’s existing intelligence layer, Sam. By synthesising intelligence at every traveller interaction, Sam builds a richer profile in real time. Every recommendation will include its reasoning, showing why it fits policy, matches a traveller’s usual routing, reflects their loyalty programme, or aligns with how their team travels. That visibility will help travellers book with confidence, without second-guessing.

“Conversational booking only works if travellers trust what they’re being shown, and that trust comes from context, not just convenience”, said FCM Travel Global Head of Product, Jessica Dunderdale. “That’s the experience we’re building toward – every recommendation explains itself so that travellers can act on it with confidence, and travel managers see adoption follow as a result.”

That same booking experience also travels with the user. Available first in Microsoft Teams and Slack, Model Context Protocol (MCP) technology will extend booking capabilities to the AI tools travellers use every day, including ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, without opening a separate app. For travel buyers, that means higher in-programme booking rates and better data capture, without asking travellers to change behaviour.

The intelligence that shapes conversational booking also feeds into FCM’s reporting and proactive analytics, surfacing spend, compliance, and disruption risk as they emerge rather than after the fact. This sharpens the role of the travel manager — allowing them to translate what the technology surfaces into decisions that fit their business.

(Source: FCM)

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The new Khiri Manila office becomes the DMC’s 20^th in Southeast Asia.

The move follows the opening of Khiri’s first office in the Philippines, in Cebu, in September 2024. The new Manila office is located in the 1928 art-deco-inspired Perez-Samanillo Building, now called the First United Building. 

A blessing ceremony for the new office was held on 28 July and was attended by Khiri Travel Manila staff, led by their General Manager, Nadi Win. Khiri Travel CEO and Founder Willem Niemeijer and parent company YAANA Ventures’ Chief Financial Officer, Mark Remijan, also attended.

Nadi said Khiri’s new Manila office would facilitate tourism growth particularly in the Manila and Luzon regions of the country.

“There are major improvements at Manila international airport where most of Khiri’s guests enter and leave the destination,” she said. “With our stronger presence in the capital, we will be able to support our partners and travellers better, strengthen coordination with hotels, guides and transport providers.”

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, tourism generated USD 38.1 billion for the Philippine economy in 2024. Tourism accounted for 8.1% of GDP in 2025. The country attracted 5.94 million foreign tourist arrivals last year, down from the peak of 8.26 million in 2019.

 Khiri Travel Vice President — Commercial, Richard Ludwig, said: “Opening our Manila office demonstrates our commitment to becoming the best DMC in the Philippines. By investing in our local team and presence, we can give our partners the confidence and support they need to grow their business here.”

(Source: Khiri Travel)

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Consolidated results were subdued largely due to the impact of the West Asia conflict on the group’s GCC-based subsidiaries.

Financial Services

Revenue from Operations increased by 6% y-o-y for Q1 FY27; retail turnover grew by 8% y-o-y.

EBIT grew by 8% y-o-y, with EBIT margins at 45.3%.

Leisure Hospitality (Sterling Holidays & Nature Trails)

Revenue from Operations grew by 19% y-o-y in Q1 FY27

EBIT grew by 28% for Q1 FY27 & maintained with EBIT margins at 32.4% for Q1 FY27

Travel Services

Revenue from Operations from Thomas Cook, SOTC and TCI remained steady in Q1 FY27.

Consolidated Total Income for Q1 FY27 stood at INR21,530 million, down by 12%.

Consolidated PBT for Q1 FY27 stood at INR885 million, down by 21%.

Excluding the GCC-based subsidiaries (DEI & Desert Adventures), the group’s Consolidated results recorded an 8% increase in EBIT for Q1 FY27.

The group navigated the difficult period with a combination of timely repricing to manage input cost escalations, partner renegotiations, and prudent cost discipline.

The group continues to maintain a strong financial position, with cash and short-term investments at INR26,488 million as of 30 June 2026, up from INR26,162 million as of 31 March 2026.

Commenting on the results, Thomas Cook (India) Limited Managing Director & CEO, Mahesh Iyer said: “A highly volatile operating environment characterised the first quarter of FY27. The impact was particularly severe on our GCC-based subsidiaries — Digital Imaging (DEI) & Desert Adventures, which continue to be affected by the ongoing conflict in the region. 

The group delivered a resilient performance for Q1 FY27 despite the challenging environment, with both Financial Services & Leisure Hospitality registering growth. At the same time, Thomas Cook, SOTC and TCI held steady despite strong headwinds in Travel Services.

The group’s global operations remain strong, as reflected in our 8% EBIT growth, excluding the GCC-based subsidiaries affected by the conflict. 

While the operating environment remains dynamic, we are cautiously optimistic about the outlook for the remainder of the year. Our focus remains on prudent financial management, driving operational excellence through technology and innovation, and strengthening our customer focus to deliver sustainable growth and create long-term value for all our stakeholders.” 

Destination Management Services (DMS) Network

India DMS: Revenue from operations grew by 0.2% for Q1 FY27 despite cancellations due to the Israel-Iran War.

Overseas Destination Management Services

Revenue declined by 33% y-o-y in Q1 FY27, primarily due to the continued impact of geopolitical disruptions in the Middle East, which significantly affected Desert Adventures. Performance was further impacted by softer US inbound tourism, which affected Allied T Pro. In contrast, stable performance at Asian Trails and continued growth across the Private Safaris businesses in East and Southern Africa provided a partial offset.

Asia Pacific – Asian Trails: Revenue remained broadly stable, supported by strong growth in the China operations and improved contributions from Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore, despite continued geopolitical uncertainties affecting certain regional markets.

USA – Allied T Pro: Performance was impacted by continued softness in US inbound tourism amid weaker overseas visitor arrivals and geopolitical uncertainties, as well as the absence of large one-off MICE events in the current period.

Middle East – Desert Adventures: The quarter’s results were materially impacted by geopolitical developments in the Middle East, exerting sustained pressure on travel demand. The business maintained a strong focus on cost optimisation while preserving operational readiness to support the anticipated recovery in demand.

Private Safaris

Southern Africa: Revenue grew by 17% y-o-y, supported by resilient inbound travel demand and improved margins through strategic upselling initiatives and supplier negotiations, despite elevated airfares and airline capacity constraints.

East Africa: Revenue grew by 4% y-o-y, supported by sustained demand from key source markets, including the USA, Europe and India, while improved margins contributed to overall performance.

*Thomas Cook India follows the Indian April–March fiscal cycle: Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27): 1 April 2026 – 31 March 2027.

(Source: TCIL Group)

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Through this collaboration, eligible Allianz travel insurance customers will gain access to the Travelgoogoo365 Annual Plan, which includes membership to the Travelgoogoo eSIM Travel Club.

Allianz Partners, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Vinay Surana said: “Today’s travellers expect a seamless, end-to-end travel experience. Partnering with Travelgoogoo allows us to address the growing expectation for always-on connectivity, enhancing our travel insurance offering to give customers greater confidence and convenience wherever they go.”

The Travelgoogoo eSIM Travel Club is a membership ecosystem designed to provide travellers with always-on connectivity and exclusive travel benefits. Members enjoy unlimited messaging and data voice calls across popular messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, LINE, Telegram, WeChat, Viber, and Zalo, without needing to purchase a data plan in 123 destinations. They can also purchase high-speed travel data at member-exclusive rates whenever needed.

As part of the launch offer, Allianz customers will also receive a complimentary 1GB Global Starter Data Pack for a limited period, enabling them to enjoy high-speed connectivity from the start of their journey.

Travelgoogoo enables a more seamless travel experience by removing the need for SIM swaps, reducing connectivity challenges associated with roaming, and eliminating the hassle of searching for Wi-Fi. Members can also access support via WhatsApp to check usage or purchase additional data plans at their convenience.

Travelgoogoo Founder and CEO Richard Bok commented: “Connectivity has become a fundamental part of how people travel, from staying in touch with loved ones to accessing essential services on the go. It’s what keeps people close, informed, and moving with confidence across borders.”

(Source: Allianz Partners)

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The agreement extends a longstanding partnership through agreements signed in April 2019, May 2022 and January 2024. For the first time, it has expanded to include Australia — a key source market for both organisations – as well as events marketing to leverage Singapore’s position as a leading hub for live entertainment. 

Under the partnership, STB and Traveloka will collaborate across four areas: co-branded tactical campaigns spotlighting Singapore on Traveloka’s platform; destination storytelling that helps travellers discover what to see and do; travel tied to Singapore’s vibrant events calendar; and the exchange of aggregated, privacy-safe travel insights that help STB sharpen how Singapore is marketed in each source market. Traveloka’s role is to put its regional reach and consumer insights to work in support of Singapore’s destination ambitions.

Aligned with STB’s broader ‘We Don’t Wait For Fun’ campaign, the co-branded campaigns will target two priority traveller segments – visitors in the early stages of their careers and families with kids – encouraging them to seize the moment for a Singapore getaway.

“This renewal reflects the importance of Southeast Asia and Australia, as well as the strength of our longstanding partnership with Traveloka,” said Singapore Tourism Board Chief Executive Melissa Ow. “Traveloka’s reach, combined with its deep understanding of how travellers in this region discover and book, makes it a strategic partner in our efforts to grow high-yield visitation and ensure Singapore remains a destination worth returning to, time and again.”

Traveloka Co-founder Albert Zhang said: “Singapore is one of the most-loved destinations among our travellers, and demand across our markets continues to grow. Our role is to be a trusted enabler, bringing the audience, the insight and the all-in-one booking experience that help STB tell Singapore’s story to the right travellers. After more than half a decade working together, this renewal is a sign of the trust we’ve built.”

The collaboration also looks ahead to newer ways of working. Both parties will develop seasonal promotions aligned with Singapore’s events calendar and explore how data-driven insights and emerging AI tools can support destination storytelling and content discovery, within agreed data governance and privacy safeguards. As a data-driven platform, Traveloka sees this as part of how modern destination marketing will be done across the region.

(Source: STB)

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