Thomas Cook India pays £1.5 million for brand
Thomas Cook (India) has bought the rights to continue using the brand name from the administrators of the failed UK business for £1.5 million.
The deal means it can continue to sell holidays using the Thomas Cook brand in India, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.
Chinese firm Fosun, one of Thomas Cook’s biggest shareholders, owns the rights to the name in the rest of the world.
Prior to the collapse of Thomas Cook, TCI had a licensing agreement to use the name only until 2024. It said it was considering ditching the brand due to the negative publicity it attracted following the demise of the European businesses, however, chairman and MD Madhavan Menon said today: "I am delighted that we have been able to sign an agreement to acquire the rights to the iconic Thomas Cook brand across India, Mauritius & Sri Lanka.
"The brand is one of the most respected names in the travel services space and one that we at Thomas Cook India have operated uninterrupted for 138 years since 1881."
TCI was bought by Fairfax Financial Holdings of Canada in 2012 and its licensing agreement gave it first refusal to continue using the Thomas Cook brand if the UK business went bust before 2024.
Although there was some confusion with customers over whether or not the India business was in financial trouble as well, it has strong brand equity in South Asia, and is debt free.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps