NEW DELHI, 24 February 2025: Cox & Kings, a trusted travel brand, is expanding its presence across India by launching 10 new franchise locations in key cities a year after the travel group came under the ownership of Wilson & Hughes Ltd.

This expansion is part of a broader strategy to cater to the rising demand for outbound, domestic, and inbound travel. The new locations will provide travellers with personalised planning, expert consultation, and seamless booking services, all backed by advanced technology.

With growing interest from entrepreneurs and travel enthusiasts, Cox & Kings plans to establish 300 franchises, preferred agents, and holiday clubs across India and globally over the next two years. The company aims to create a robust ecosystem that blends technology with customer-centric travel solutions, offering significant opportunities for investors in the sector.

Cox & Kings director Karan Agarwal commented: “As travel continues to evolve, we recognise the need for a perfect blend of technology and human connection. While AI-powered itinerary planning helps us create seamless, personalised journeys, an on-ground presence enhances trust and engagement with travellers. Our expansion into new cities reflects our commitment to providing world-class services, ensuring our franchise partners stay ahead in a competitive market while offering exceptional experiences to modern travellers.”

Under the ownership of Wilson & Hughes Ltd,  Cox & Kings is focusing on innovation and digital transformation to enhance the travel experience. Franchise partners will gain access to AI-powered booking and itinerary-building systems, allowing them to deliver customised travel plans with efficiency and precision. 

Additionally, every franchise will feature trained travel experts who provide in-person consultation, ensuring a seamless and trusted customer experience. 

Integrating these digital tools with a strong offline presence positions Cox & Kings as a leader in the evolving travel industry.

The expansion comes when India’s travel industry is experiencing significant growth. According to industry reports, India’s outbound travel market is projected to exceed 50 million travellers by 2030, with rising demand for destinations such as Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada, and Japan. Domestic travel is also surging, particularly in cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Mumbai, driven by increased disposable income and a growing appetite for leisure travel. 

Meanwhile, inbound tourism is expected to grow at a 7.2% CAGR, fueled by cultural, spiritual, and adventure tourism interests.

Following its acquisition by Wilson & Hughes Ltd. in 2024, Cox & Kings has embarked on a new chapter, leveraging its rich legacy while embracing modern travel solutions. The acquisition included only the brand, with no assets or liabilities from previous ownership, ensuring a fresh start focused on innovation, quality service, and customer satisfaction.

The rebranded Cox & Kings has already attracted renewed interest from past partners and associates, who are eager to reconnect with the brand. Given the growing demand, Wilson & Hughes anticipates adding 10 to 20 more franchise locations across India and globally.

Cox & Kings, established in 1758, is one of the world’s oldest and most celebrated travel brands, known for its commitment to excellence, the brand has served generations of travellers by offering a diverse range of services across leisure, business, and specialised travel segments.

In 2024, Cox & Kings underwent a transformative relaunch under the ownership of Wilson & Hughes, a Singapore-based private equity firm specialising in everyday products (FMCG), building materials, and the travel and hospitality sector. This acquisition, facilitated through the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), marked a fresh chapter for the brand, as it was acquired free of liabilities associated with the former entity.

Wilson & Hughes is dedicated to revitalising Cox & Kings by integrating modern technology and innovative practices while retaining its legacy of trust and excellence. The reimagined brand focuses on four core business segments: leisure travel, business travel, specialised tours, and travel technology. 

MUMBAI, 21 February 2025: In an initiative to boost travel to Sabah in Malaysia from India’s outbound market, Thomas Cook (India) Limited and its group company, SOTC Travel, have signed an agreement with the Sabah Tourism Board. 

This strategic collaboration will focus on growing Sabah’s visibility and inspiring visitation from the Indian market. The MOU was signed by Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head at Thomas Cook (India) Limited and Julinus Jeffery Jimit, Chief Executive Officer at Sabah Tourism Board, in the presence of Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General, Tourism Malaysia.

Sabah, with its multiple UNESCO Geoparks and Reserves, majestic Mount Kinabalu (one of the highest peaks in Southeast Asia) and Sipadan Island, represents not just one of the world’s top diving sites but also exciting white water rafting, ziplining and abseiling experiences. The state is famed for its diverse ecosystems, home to the endangered Bornean orangutan, the proboscis monkey, the Borneo pygmy elephant and rafflesia, the world’s largest flower. Sabah’s natural wonders and attractions make it a must-visit destination for travellers.

This multi-pronged collaboration will focus on destination knowledge, curating inspiring content, education, training and familiarisation programmes and joint marketing to position Sabah as a top-of-mind destination across India’s metro, mini-metro, and Tier 2 and 3 markets.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited, President & Country Head Holidays, MICE and VISA, Rajeev Kale said: “We are delighted to be selected by Sabah Tourism as their first partner for the Indian sub-continent. Our MOU signing on 31 January  2025 at OTM, Mumbai, heralds the start of what I am confident will be a vibrant and viable collaboration. Sabah is a destination known for its diversity of adventure, relaxation, cultural exploration, and unique natural experiences, and it holds strong appeal across India’s new-age traveller segments.”

SOTC Travel Limited President & Country Head of Holidays and Corporate Tours, SD Nandakumar, added, “Sabah is a beautiful destination with breathtaking landscapes, adventure opportunities and rich cultural heritage. We are thrilled to collaborate with the tourism board to introduce our Indian travellers to Sabah’s diverse experiences. Our MOU with Sabah Tourism Board aims to showcase the state’s engaging and enriching experiences – to India’s families/multigenerational families, Young India’s Millennials/Gen Z, couples, ad-hoc groups of friends/colleagues and our powerful corporate MICE segment.”

Sabah Tourism Board CEO Julinus Jeffery Jimit concluded: “Our strategic collaboration with Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel marks a significant milestone in our effort to tap into the vast Indian market. With India being a high-potential growth market, this collaboration will help to position Sabah, North Borneo, as a must-visit destination.”

SINGAPORE, 21 February 2025: Paytm Travel and Agoda partner to offer hotel bookings across Indian and global destinations on the Paytm app, Agoda reported earlier this week.

One97 Communications Limited (OCL), which owns the brand Paytm, India’s leading payments and financial services distribution company, has partnered with digital travel platform Agoda, a brand under Booking Holdings

The deal offers hotel booking services on the Paytm app. This partnership expands Paytm Travel’s offerings to hotel bookings — alongside flights, buses, and trains — by enabling users to access Agoda’s wide range of accommodation options across Indian and global destinations, exclusive deals and a seamless booking experience.

Leveraging Agoda’s extensive selection of accommodations, Paytm Travel has integrated hotel booking services, allowing travellers to browse and book stays seamlessly. This integration reinforces Paytm Travel’s position as a comprehensive solution for travel needs. The partnership empowers travellers with streamlined itinerary management and provides cost-effective travel solutions, catering to frequent travellers and businesses seeking efficient travel planning.

Agoda Chief Commercial Officer Damien Pfirsch commented: “By joining forces with Paytm Travel, we are giving travellers even higher levels of convenience when booking their dream trip. Our combined efforts aim to simplify the booking process while making it even simpler to pay will ensure that even more Indian travellers can see the world for less.”

As an International Air Transport Association (IATA) accredited travel agent, Paytm Travel ensures a reliable and trusted booking experience with free cancellations, instant refunds, travel insurance, and enhanced ticket inventories. Additionally, exclusive deals and discounts on ticket bookings are available through Paytm’s extensive bank partnerships, making it a preferred choice for travellers nationwide.