Last Updated:September 16, 2025, 09:51 IST

From sacred ghats to hidden beaches and bustling metros alive with festive spirit, here are the popular destinations you can go to for a flavour of the Indian festivals.

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.

Air India Express has commenced operations from Dehradun Airport with the launch of daily direct flights to Bengaluru. The first flight on the Dehradun–Bengaluru route was flagged off by Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, in the presence of Smt. Mala Rajyalaxmi Shah, Member of Parliament; Shri Brij Bhusan Gairola, Member of Legislative Assembly, Doiwala; Shri Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express; and Shri Ashish Chauhan, IAS, CEO, Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority. The inaugural flight departed Dehradun at 16:30 hrs and landed in Bengaluru at 19:30 hrs.

Welcoming Air India Express to Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, said, “The start of Air India Express services from Dehradun marks an important milestone for civil aviation in our state. Enhanced connectivity to Bengaluru will provide a significant boost to tourism, trade, and investment opportunities in Uttarakhand, while also strengthening links for students, professionals, and entrepreneurs with one of India’s most dynamic cities. We welcome Air India Express and look forward to the positive impact this connectivity will bring to our people and economy.”

Commenting on the occasion, Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express, said, “We are delighted to commence operations from Dehradun, our 58th station, with daily direct flights to Bengaluru, our largest domestic hub. This is the third new station launched this month, following Ahmedabad and Chandigarh, underscoring the rapid expansion of our network. The new route not only connects Uttarakhand directly with Bengaluru’s economic and educational hubs but also offers convenient one-stop connections to 18 more cities across India. With our fleet now crossing 115 aircraft, we are scaling up, building a stronger, more accessible network that reflects the aspirations of modern India.”

With this launch, guests from Dehradun gain convenient one-stop connectivity to 18 destinations, including Chennai, Goa, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, North Goa, Pune, Ranchi, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam through Bengaluru.

As part of its ‘Tales of India’ initiative celebrating the country’s diverse art and culture, the new Boeing 737-8 aircraft deployed to operate the first flight from Dehradun proudly features a livery inspired by ‘Aipan,’ Uttarakhand’s traditional art form of floor and wall paintings.