Thomas Cook (India) Limited announces Results for the Quarter ended 30 Sept 22

Thomas Cook (India) Limited announces Results for the Quarter ended 30 Sept 22

Mumbai, November 2022:

Thomas Cook (India) Limited reports its second consecutive profitable quarter
on the back of sustained recovery & cost management. On track to a profitable FY23
Standalone PBT of Rs. 193 Mn in Q2 FY23 Vs a loss of Rs. 249 Mn on a YoY basis

Consolidated PBT of Rs. 49 Mn in Q2 FY23 Vs loss of Rs. 1,100 Mn in Q2 FY22

• Standalone PBT of Rs. 193 Mn in Q2 FY23 Vs a loss of Rs. 249 Mn on a YoY basis; robust sequential growth of 226% from Rs. 59 Mn in Q1 FY23
• Consolidated PBT of Rs. 49 Mn in Q2 FY 23, represents significant growth in profitability Vs a loss of Rs. 1,100 Mn in Q2 FY22 and a loss of Rs. 23 Mn in Q1 FY23
• Foreign Exchange reported EBIT of Rs. 205 Mn in Q2 FY23 Vs a loss of Rs. 27 Mn on a YoY basis; robust sequential growth of 84% from Rs. 112 Mn in Q1 FY23
• Travel and Related Services (consolidated) turned profitable with an EBIT of Rs. 34 Mn in Q2 FY23 Vs a loss of Rs. 847 Mn on a YoY basis; and a loss of Rs. 178 Mn in Q1 FY23
• Sterling Holiday Resorts reports an EBIT of Rs. 44 Mn in Q2 FY23 Vs Rs. 106 Mn on YoY basis; on a sequential basis EBIT stood at Rs. 324 Mn in Q1 FY23
• Digiphoto Entertainment Imaging reported an EBIT of Rs. 90 Mn in Q2 FY23 Vs a loss of Rs. 108 Mn in Q2 FY22; Q1 FY23 EBIT stood at Rs. 106 Mn
• Cash and bank balances as on Sept 30, 2022, were at Rs. 9,135 Mn up from Rs. 8,500 Mn as on June 30, 2022
• The Group continues to drive cost savings. Costs in Q2 FY23 Vs Q2 FY20 (pre-pandemic) were reduced by 35% at a standalone level and 24% at a consolidated basis

Mr. Madhavan Menon, Managing Director, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Our second consecutive strong quarterly results are an outcome of the Group’s sustained recovery efforts & cost management – resulting in a cost saving of 24% Vs pre-pandemic levels. Our focus on customer-centric technology to drive efficiency, scale and productivity are helping drive the rapid pace of recovery across lines of business as well as geographies. The robust demand we are witnessing for travel across segments gives us the confidence of a profitable FY 23!”

Key Business Highlights

Foreign Exchange

• New card issuance in Q2 FY23 was up by 44% QoQ; growth of 29% over pre pandemic
• Card Loads of US$173 Mn for Q2 FY23 grew by 12% QoQ; surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Transactions grew by 26% QoQ; recovery of 62% Vs pre pandemic
• Over 63% of the Card users below the age of 40
• Retail recovery at over 95% of pre-pandemic levels
• The digital partner platform FX Mate saw 24% growth in transactions; 17% growth in turnover
• Overseas education segment saw a growth of 60% QoQ

Travel Services

• Corporate Travel
o Corporate Travel turnover grew by 280% YoY; 15% on a QoQ basis; a notable 120% growth Vs pre-pandemic levels of Q2 FY20
o Acquisition of over 10 new accounts, including 5 large institutional accounts, across Banking, Media & Entertainment, Telecommunications, Automobile & Tyre manufacturing, etc.
o Over 70% adoption by clients on the corporate self-booking tool

• Meetings-Incentives-Conferences-Exhibitions (MICE)
o Over 200 corporate groups of 100 to 3000 delegates were successfully operated across India & international destinations
o Strong resurgence in demand for domestic and outbound corporate groups; robust forward pipeline

• Leisure Travel
o Marked improvement in sequential recovery Vs pre-pandemic levels to 47% from 22% in Q1 FY23
o Over 8,600 passengers traveled during Q2 FY23. Operated approx. 300 groups
o With over 6800 booked customers since restart – the highest sellers of Cordelia Cruises

• Destination Management Services Network
o Travel Corporation (India) Limited: Revival witnessed this quarter with the majority of accounts having restarted; the rest by 2023. A charter segment to revive this season. Impact due to the non-availability of e-visas for the UK is leveling, with full revival expected by next year
New groups: Successfully managed the Thuringian Delegation from Germany to India in September
o Desert Adventures: Q2 FY23 being summer season (higher temperatures) expectedly witnessed lower volumes vs the previous quarter. While CIS countries continued to provide good volumes, pickup in the FIT (individual traveler) segment was witnessed from India. MICE has shown healthy volumes during the quarter
o Private Safaris (East Africa): Robust sales in Q2 FY23 with the return of peak season. Healthy volumes were generated from markets such as the USA, the UK, and Germany. Decent volumes were also seen from France, Romania, and India
o Allied TPro (USA): Sales in Q2 FY23 surpassed pre-pandemic levels; the USA witnessed a strong quarter primarily driven by the European market. Entered into a 50:50 joint venture agreement with New World Travel, Inc. on October 31, 2022. The new JV company, Allied New World, has been set up to leverage the strengths of both companies to drive productivity and accelerate growth in the post-pandemic era
o Asian Trails (Asia Pacific): Gradual increase in sales witnessed due to the re-opening of major destinations (e.g. Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam). A full-scale launch of a B2B online platform for multiple service types (Hotels, Transfers, Excursions, Flights, and Tours) for global customers traveling to South East Asia is planned for Q3 FY23

• Sterling Holidays Resorts
o 54% increase in ARR Vs. pre-pandemic; 23% increase YoY
o Occupancy at 53% has surpassed pre-pandemic levels; stood at 46% for Q2 FY22
o Sterling received Tamil Nadu Tourism Award (Best Leisure hotel); Asia’s Excellence Awards 2022 at CMO Asia Awards; Best of Bharat Award from e4Media

• Digiphoto Entertainment Imaging (DEI)
o DEI inked 4 new agreements with Trans Snow World Surabaya in Indonesia, Snow Kingdom Hyderabad in India, Southern Christmas Show in the USA, and Adventure Park in the UAE
o DEI renewed its association with 5 partners, including Mandai Wildlife Reserve in Singapore; Outrigger Beach Resort and JW Marriott Resort in Mauritius; Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru in the Maldives and Wild Wadi Waterpark in the UAE
o 5 of DEI’s partnerships went operationally LIVE this quarter: Adventure Park and Modesh World in the UAE; Club Med Cherating in Malaysia and Alila Kothaifaru and Le Méridien in the Maldives

Technology
The Group’s Digital First strategy saw sustained momentum with the launch of:
• An innovative Live Video Connect platform via the Companies’ campaigns – customers can seamlessly connect with holiday experts via a video call and chat, without having to download any added apps or software
• Cruise holiday products available on the website with options to select preferred travel dates, and cabin types and offers to book seamlessly on a real-time availability basis

India Network Expansion
New franchise outlets were opened in key source markets across metros and Tier 2-3 cities:
• Leisure Travel: Faridabad, Ludhiana, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Anand
• Foreign Exchange: Franchise outlet opened in Agra; Cochin International Airport agreement extended for 5 years

Awards & Partnerships
• Thomas Cook India & SOTC signed an agreement with Turkiye Tourism to boost demand and visitations for the destination
• Thomas Cook India & SOTC extended their exclusive Partnership with Vistara to launch Vistara Getaways – International
• Thomas Cook India, Mastercard & HDFC Bank collaborated for offers on S. E. Asia Holidays

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