Travel Guides & Articles
Thomas Cook India launches forex app ‘TC Pay’

Thomas Cook (India) Ltd, has launched TC Pay, a comprehensive forex app designed for today’s mobile-first Indian traveller. Built on a foundation of digital innovation, TC Pay offers a one-stop forex solution for B2C customers whether it’s buying or reloading forex cards, buying or selling currencies or sending international remittances.
With an intuitive interface and powerful features like end-to-end digital fulfilment, all-in-one forex card management, real-time card tracking and WhatsApp calling for instant support, TC Pay delivers an elevated user experience with simple, swift and secure forex services through its tech-enabled, mobile-first platform.
Mobile apps have emerged as the preferred gateway for financial transactions globally, with mobile-based remittances accounting now for 60% of all digital transfers (Visa report). In India, this shift aligns with a broader digital payments revolution—over 93% of consumers use digital payment methods, and 9 out of 10 manage at least one financial task online (Mastercard New Payments Index). Against this backdrop, Thomas Cook’s innovative launch of TC Pay marks a strategic leap in its digital-first journey, creating a full-scale, mobile-first ecosystem that reimagines the way forex services are delivered.
Key Features of TC Pay:
• End-to-end digital fulfilment: Aligns with Thomas Cook’s consumer centric Ghar Baithe Forex – offering convenience with the security of digital transactions
o Buy/reload forex cards, send international remittances (including student fees or transfers to family abroad), and make secure payments—all digitally
o Smart navigation and “save for future use” features reduce transaction time by at least 30%
o Video KYC (V-KYC), to follow in the next phase
• All-in-One Card Management: Easily view card statements, manage card controls – set limits, block a card – all from a single, intuitive interface
o Virtual Card: Access virtual card instantly for seamless and secure digital payments
o Multi-Currency Wallet: Load and manage up to 12 global currencies offering flexibility and savings on cross-currency fluctuations when travelling abroad
• Top-tier security via Biometric Authentication
• WhatsApp Integration for Instant Support: In-app support with WhatsApp chat and calling functionality ensures instant query resolution and personalised assistance
• Real-Time personalized deals and offers delivered in-app
Deepesh Varma, Executive Vice President – Foreign Exchange, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “At Thomas Cook India, every innovation begins with a deep understanding of our customers. With their growing need for speed, security and simplicity, our pivot to digital solutions is already witnessing strong adoption – with an approx. 2.5x growth in our Forex by WhatsApp transactions; and an overall 40% increase – across our digital channels.
With TC Pay we’ve launched yet another consumer empowering innovation – offering our range of forex services under one intuitive app, for a truly seamless experience. Additionally, this strategic move aims at leveraging technology to extend our reach beyond the physical/retail network, to unlock high potential new/underleveraged markets. With TC Pay, we intend to lead the transformation of forex in India!”
Thomas Cook India has positioned itself as India ka Forex Specialist with continued focus on innovation, customer-centricity and agile delivery in the foreign exchange space. The Company is the largest non-bank foreign exchange services provider in India and serves over a million customers every year.
The launch of TC Pay is yet another pioneering innovation following the successful integration of Google Pay for seamless forex payments and the rollout of WhatsApp Calling feature for real-time customer support. These initiatives reflect Thomas Cook India’s proactive approach in meeting customers where they are—digitally, intuitively and securely.
This digital-first transformation also enables Thomas Cook India to extend its footprint beyond physical branches, unlocking opportunities in new and underserved markets through a strong, scalable digital presence.
Travel Guides & Articles
Where to Shop for Jewelry in Jaipur, India

From left: Courtesy of Santi; Abhishek Bali
Jaipur has long seduced travelers with its warren of old bazaars, royal palaces, and glittering treasures. But behind one of the city’s pink façades lies a rarer find: Royal Gems & Arts, a jewelry business housed inside Saras Sadan, an 18th-century haveli, or mansion, a short walk from the iconic Hawa Mahal palace.
Run by ninth-generation jeweler Santi Choudhary with his wife, Shobha, and son, Krishna, the atelier feels like a museum and is open by appointment only. The Choudharys, descendants of the city’s founding families, supply exquisite pieces to royalty and collectors around the world.
Today, Santi oversees a trove of Mughal- and Rajput-inspired pieces, some of which have been loaned to the world’s top museums. Krishna joined the family business while studying Islamic and Indian art in London. In 2019, he started his own label, Santi, with an atelier in London’s Mayfair district showcasing bold, contemporary designs with rare stones set in gold, titanium, or platinum.
Together, the Choudharys’ shops offer a glimpse into India’s past and present—one rooted in Jaipur’s traditions, the other reinterpreting them for a new generation. While the haveli in Jaipur focuses on heritage designs, Santi in London crafts one-of-a-kind pieces, like a rare 18th-century, pyramid-shaped Colombian emerald set in 18-karat white gold with reverse-set diamonds. “Every antique stone we work with brings a mystery with it, and we add something to it for the future,” Krishna says.
Courtesy of Santi
Run by ninth-generation jeweler Santi Choudhary with his wife, Shobha, and son, Krishna, the atelier feels like a museum and is open by appointment only. The Choudharys, descendants of the city’s founding families, supply exquisite pieces to royalty and collectors around the world.
Today, Santi oversees a trove of Mughal- and Rajput-inspired pieces, some of which have been loaned to the world’s top museums. Krishna joined the family business while studying Islamic and Indian art in London. In 2019, he started his own label, Santi, with an atelier in London’s Mayfair district showcasing bold, contemporary designs with rare stones set in gold, titanium, or platinum.
Together, the Choudharys’ shops offer a glimpse into India’s past and present—one rooted in Jaipur’s traditions, the other reinterpreting them for a new generation. While the haveli in Jaipur focuses on heritage designs, Santi in London crafts one-of-a-kind pieces, like a rare 18th-century, pyramid-shaped Colombian emerald set in 18-karat white gold with reverse-set diamonds. “Every antique stone we work with brings a mystery with it, and we add something to it for the future,” Krishna says.
More Must-visit Jewelers in Jaipur
Founded by Akshat Ghiya—a second-generation jeweler who was raised in India and Italy—this store has made a name for itself with its unconventional, contemporary pieces. Ghiya uses stones like pink and purple sapphire, onyx, citrine, and tourmaline to create wearable confections.
This shop, which features striking geometric styles, is attached to a museum that holds more than 2,500 objects—textiles, coins, daggers, and jewelry—collected by the owners’ late father.
Established in 1852, this store is a celebrity favorite. Princess Diana, Oprah, and Gwyneth Paltrow have all ogled the traditional Indian craftsmanship blended with contemporary design. After the eighth-generation jeweler Munnu Kasliwal died in 2012, his son Siddharth took over, and today runs the business alongside his brother, cousins, and uncle.
A version of this story appeared in the October 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline “Jaipur’s Crown Jewel.”
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