Thomas Cook & SOTC offer “COVID-negative” certification services in association with ICMR accredited labs

Thomas Cook & SOTC offer “COVID-negative” certification services in association with ICMR accredited labs
First Travel Service providers to offer this service
as part of their integrated as well as standalone services

Mumbai, July 22, 2020: Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., India’s leading integrated travel services company and its Group Company, SOTC Travel Ltd., have partnered with ICMR accredited medical centres pan India, becoming the first travel service providers to offer seamless, end-to-end COVID-negative certification services. This pioneering initiative to support customers, is an extension of the Thomas Cook & SOTC Assured Safe Travel Program in partnership with Apollo Clinics, that ensures meticulous health and safety protocols - at every stage of the customer journey.

In the current pandemic, health and safety has become a paramount concern of individuals and organisations globally. A COVID-negative certification has therefore become a critical requirement, not just for cross border travel within India or overseas, but has also been mandated by organisations as part of their safety protocols. A clear deterrent however, has been the uncertainty around the process, also the understandable fear and stigma associated with it. In a pioneering initiative to support consumers with a simple, smooth and convenient process, Thomas Cook & SOTC have tied up with ICMR accredited medical centres countrywide, to provide end-to-end, contactless COVID-negative certification services.

The Thomas Cook & SOTC COVID-negative certification services include:
• Assistance on requirements/procedures for COVID testing via ICMR accredited centres
• Information on multiple locations / options available for the test
• Scheduling appointment for the test pan India
• Making payment to the medical centre on behalf of the customer
• Coordination between customer and medical centre for end-to-end process
• Test report sent on email

Customer Benefits:

• Contactless facilitation and support across India
• Test by renowned ICMR accredited medical centres, ensuring safety and health protocols
• Wide range of centres available pan India – conveniently located close to work/ residence
• Appointment as per customer convenience with home service available
• Report results received between 24 to 48 hours
• Emergency guidance available on WhatsApp, call and email

The simple 2 step process:
1. Contact Thomas Cook/SOTC: online via thomascook.in/ sotc.in; email covidcert@tcvsil.com or call 9321582599 (9 am - 6.30 pm, Monday - Saturday)
2. Select your preference of lab visit or home service and a date-time basis the specific certification requirement (48 - 96 hours prior departure basis country / organisation protocols)

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head - Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said, “In yet another pioneering initiative to support our customers during these challenging times, we are delighted to announce our tie-up with renowned ICMR accredited medical centres to manage a smooth and seamless end-to-end process with contactless COVID-negative certification services - across India.”

He added, “Our expertise ensures that we manage all the complexities of the process seamlessly - be it the specific formats, differing time frames required by each authority and coordination between the medical centres - to deliver a delightful, hassle-free experience for all our customers.”

For details, click here

Mr. Daniel D’souza, President & Country Head, Leisure, SOTC Travel said “As hygiene and safety have become vital factors for Indian travellers, our priority has been to ensure that our customers feel safe and comfortable while traveling with us. In aiming to ensure health and safety for travellers, we are pleased to associate with ICMR accredited labs across India to provide a first of its kind contactless COVID-negative certification. This would certainly go a long way in easing the current concerns of travellers and build trust and confidence. The seamless, end to end COVID-negative certification services, guarantee the necessary sanitary measures and will assure travellers of hygiene standards thus rebuilding confidence in a hassle-free journey for all our customers.”

For details, click here

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About Thomas Cook (India) Limited: Set up in 1881, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. (TCIL) is the leading integrated travel and travel related financial services company in the country offering a broad spectrum of services that include Foreign Exchange, Corporate Travel, MICE, Leisure Travel, Value Added Services, Visa and Passport services and E-Business. It operates leading B2C and B2B brands including Thomas Cook, SOTC, TCI, SITA, Asian Trails, Allied T Pro, Australian Tours Management, Desert Adventures, Luxe Asia, Kuoni Hong Kong, Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, TC Forex, Distant Frontiers, TC Tours, TC Visa, Travel Circle International Limited, Ithaka, Digiphoto Entertainment Imaging (DEI), Private Safaris East & South Africa.

As one of the largest travel service provider networks headquartered in the Asia-Pacific region, The Thomas Cook India Group spans 25 countries across 5 continents, a team of over 8388 and a combined revenue in excess of Rs. 6948.3 Cr. (over $ 0.93 Bn.) for the financial year ended March 31, 2020.

TCIL has been felicitated with The Best Travel Agency – India at TTG Travel Awards 2019, The Best Outbound Tour Operator at the Times Travel Awards 2018 & 2019 and Leading Company with Cutting Edge Travel Innovation at the Times, Silver award for Asia's Best Integrated Report (First Time) category at the Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards, Travel Awards 2018, Best Risk Management-Framework & Systems at the India Risk Management Awards 2019; Best Cash Management Solution – India at the Asset Triple A Treasury, Trade, Supply Chain & Risk Management Awards 2018, Best Outbound Tour Operator at the SATTE awards 2019, Excellence in Domestic Tour Operations at the SATTE Awards 2018, The French Ambassador’s Award for Exemplary Achievements in Visa Issuance – 2015 to 2019 and the Condé Nast Traveller – Readers’ Travel Awards from 2011 to 2019.

CRISIL has reaffirmed the rating on debt programmes and bank facilities of Thomas Cook (India) Ltd at ‘CRISIL AA-/Negative on the long-term bank facilities of TCIL and CRISIL A1+ rating on the short-term bank facilities and short- term debt of the Company.

For more information, please visit www.thomascook.in

Fairbridge Capital (Mauritius) Limited, a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited promotes TCIL by holding 65.60% of its paid-up capital and is responsible for the execution of acquisition and investment opportunities.

About Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited: Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited is a holding company which, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and investment management. Founded in 1985 by the present Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Prem Watsa, the company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Its common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol FFH and in U.S. dollars under the symbol FFH.U.

About Subsidiaries of Thomas Cook (India) Ltd.: Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, wholly owned subsidiary of TCIL is engaged in time share and resort business.

SOTC Travel Limited, wholly owned subsidiary of TCIL is a leading travel and tourism company active across various travel segments including Leisure Travel, Incentive Travel and Business Travel.

Travel Corporation India (TCI), a brand owned by TCIL through its wholly owned subsidiary company, is the leading Destination Management Company in India that offers tailor-made travel and related services to India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

Thomas Cook India Group holds a 51% stake in DEI Holdings Limited (DEI), one of the world’s leading imaging solutions and services providers.

For more information, visit:
Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited: http://www.sterlingholidays.com
SOTC Travel Limited: http://www.sotc.in

Media Enquiries:
Thomas Cook (India) Ltd: suzanne.pereira@thomascook.in |+91 98202 97665; joyce.fernandes@thomascook.in |+91 98922 20141

About SOTC Travel: SOTC Travel Limited (Formerly SOTC Travel Pvt. Ltd.) is a step-down subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Group; held through its Indian listed subsidiary, Thomas Cook (India) Limited (TCIL). SOTC India is a leading travel and tourism company active across various travel segments including Leisure Travel, Incentive Travel and Business Travel and Foreign Exchange. SOTC was established in 1949. Since then, it has escorted lakhs of travellers across the globe for more than 70 years to various destinations around the world. A new age innovative holidaymaker, SOTC strives to make holidays a priority for every Indian. ‘We are for holidays’ and we want Indians to prioritize their holidays.

Media Enquiries:
SOTC Travel Limited: bineeta.mehta@sotc.in | +91 99209 62470; neha.dcunha@sotc.in | +91 98926 63010

This release was published on openPR.