~Becomes the First - Indian Travel Company to sign an MOU with WRS~
Mumbai February 26, 2018: Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., India’s leading integrated travel and travel related financial services company, has entered into a 3 year strategic agreement with Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) — an organization dedicated to the management of world-leading zoological institutions - Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, River Safari and Singapore Zoo.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Mr. Mahesh Iyer, Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Cook (India) Limited and Mr. Mike Barclay – Group Chief Executive Officer, Mandai Park Holdings (the parent company of WRS) at the Thomas Cook India Group headquarters in Mumbai.
Thomas Cook India’s internal data has revealed a strong and significant growth of Indians travelling to Singapore with a 20% YoY growth. Additionally, WRS reveals that India is one of the top five countries in terms of visitors across its four parks. Hence, in a focussed initiative to leverage this high potential growth segment, Thomas Cook India and WRS have entered into a strategic agreement and via this three year plan, both companies will focus on a multipronged engagement that includes product development, joint consumer promotions and MarCom to showcase Wildlife Reserves Singapore.
Speaking on the announcement, Mr. Mahesh Iyer, Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “We are bullish on the larger trend towards experiential holidays. Singapore as a destination has been constantly reinventing itself with its new, unified brand identity 'Passion made Possible'-that showcases the fundamentals of the nation - its cultural diversity, rich food heritage and the mindset of its people shaped by unique circumstances and promises to reshape the Singapore experience across the B2C and B2B space and we are honored to partner with them.”
He added, “Indian travellers are evolving rapidly and our research indicates growing interest in unique local experiences that include outdoor-wildlife and this MOU gives us the opportunity to create a vibrant product. Our partnership with Wildlife Reserves, Singapore also marks the start of a strong commitment to protect biodiversity in Singapore and Southeast Asia through partnerships with like-minded partners, organisations and institutions.”
Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Mike Barclay, Group Chief Executive Officer, Mandai Park Holdings (parent company of Wildlife Reserves Singapore), said, “Over the years, valued partners like Thomas Cook have been instrumental to our growth. In 2017, we saw a 25 per cent increase in Indian guests compared to the previous year. With this MOU we look forward further collaborations to bring the immersive wildlife experience of our parks to Indian travelers.”
