Thomas Cook India launches ‘online visas’

Thomas Cook (India) Ltd has launched ‘online visas’ to empower its customers with detailed visa information (requirements per destination, downloadable visa forms, consular addresses and timings, processing duration and visa costs), stated a release. This service has been launched after Thomas Cook’s latest finding revealed that the Indian traveller’s use of online platforms is moving beyond flights/hotels, to include visa processing. Thomas Cook India’s internal consumer study, while highlighting visas as a key element in travel, revealed the stress and pain involved in the process. Key study findings and analysis: •    Singapore ranked number 1 in the amount of total visa applications received online: Singapore 41 per cent; Schengen* 16 per cent; Malaysia 15 per cent; UK 7 per cent; USA 5 per cent; Canada 4 per cent; Australia  3 per cent *(Schengen countries included Switzerland, France, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain) •    Bengaluru leads the market for online visa applications contributing to 22 per cent, followed by the metros of Mumbai and Delhi. Gaining popularity are the emerging young student and young professional/corporate executive markets of Pune and Hyderabad Bengaluru 22 per cent; Mumbai 20 per cent; Delhi 18 per cent; Pune 12 per cent; Hyderabad -10 per cent •    The maximum online applications received less than 15 days prior departure, were from Bengaluru and for short-haul destinations Singapore and Malaysia; indicative that Bengaluru travellers perhaps enjoy last-minute breaks (visas for both countries can be granted in 3 days to a week) Amit Madhan, COO - IT & E Services, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd said, “The world is changing rapidly and so is customer behaviour. Today’s digitally native Indian is increasingly impatient for both information/data, as also delivery. He needs information instantly and has little patience to wait for a third party to meet his requirements. Obtaining a visa remains one of the biggest pain points for India’s traveller as it involves filling complex applications, travelling to metro cities, standing in  queues for submissions/interviews, etc. With visa services online, our intent is to eliminate multi-level complexities. Our two-step process enables easy access to online visa information with fulfilment of visa services (drop off of documents, checks by an expert, submission and collection and final delivery of a visa stamped passport) executed offline via our extensive pan India outlets”. Madhan added, “While not surprising that Singapore topped the list of favoured destinations for online visa submissions, Schengen countries like Switzerland and France constituted an interesting second. Bengaluru continues to show faster adoption for new online tools, Pune and Hyderabad together with Mumbai and Delhi are not far behind.” http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/Trade-News/thomas-cook-india-launches-online-visas-28007