Thomas Cook India seals deal with Airbnb

Travel services provider Thomas Cook (India) (TCIL) has entered into an agreement with accommodation website Airbnb to offer Indian outbound travellers access to a range of unique accommodation experience.

The company intends to offer families, ad hoc groups of friends and business-cum-leisure travellers access to Airbnb's unique stay options -- across apartments, private rooms, castles, boats, manors, tree houses and private islands, Thomas Cook India said in a filing to BSE.

Thomas Cook India Chairman and Managing Director Madhavan Menon said: "The Indian traveller is evolving rapidly and for many, standard stays no longer find favour. Our partnership with Airbnb for outbound Indian travellers aims to address this viable and yet untapped market need."

The company's strategic focus is to target high-potential growth opportunities via innovation in products and partnerships, and tie-up with Airbnb reiterates delivery of this intent, he added.

"We are excited to work with a leader in India's travel market to give Indian travellers the opportunity to have unique and truly authentic local experience by staying at one of our more than two million properties around the world," Head of Global Airbnb Operations Varsha Rao said.

Prem Watsa's Fairfax Financial Holdings-promoted TCIL's footprint -- exclusive of its subsidiaries -- currently extends to over 232 locations, including 23 airport counters, in 92 cities across India, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.

The stock of TCIL was trading at Rs 193 in the afternoon trade on BSE, down 0.34 per cent from its previous close.