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Cox & Kings Targets Tier-2 and Tier-3 Cities for Travel Growth, ETTravelWorld

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India’s outbound travel growth is increasingly being led by smaller cities. With rising disposable incomes, improved connectivity, and growing aspirations, Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are set to outpace metros in producing first-time international travellers over the next five years, according to Cox & Kings.

Cox & Kings, the world’s oldest travel company now backed by private equity firm Wilson & Hughes, is capitalising on this shift by expanding its franchise network beyond the metros. Five new outlets have recently opened in Faridabad, Gurgaon, Dharamshala, Agra, and Ahmedabad, with plans to establish 200 outlets in the coming years. This expansion reflects the company’s strategy to build trust with new-age customers in smaller markets through a franchise-first, phygital model.

The upcoming festive and holiday season is expected to accelerate demand. Families from Tier-2 cities are increasingly choosing international destinations over traditional domestic trips. Popular first-time outbound choices include Dubai, Thailand, and Singapore due to short flights and simplified visa processes. Honeymooners are seeking destinations like the Maldives, Bali, South Africa, and Switzerland, while family groups favour Europe tours, Australia, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi. Destination weddings and celebration travel continue to grow, with Dubai, Thailand, and Bali topping demand.

“Tier-2 and Tier-3 India is no longer a silent segment; it is the growth engine of tomorrow’s travel market. At Cox & Kings, we are combining our 265-year legacy with modern travel expectations to serve these new-age customers. Our franchise-first approach allows us to bring curated experiences closer to their doorstep, while ensuring the reliability and trust the brand is known for,” said Karan Agarwal, Director, Cox & Kings.

Industry data supports this surge. Currently, 8.7% of Indians hold a valid passport. July 2025 alone saw over 1.24 million passports issued, with India expected to cross 14.5 million issuances by year-end. International visa requests from first-time applicants grew 32% in the past year, with 56% originating from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

This trend, driven by social media influence, improved infrastructure, and celebration-led group travel, signals a transformation in India’s outbound travel landscape. Cox & Kings’ hybrid approach, combining physical outlets with technology-enabled services, is designed to make premium global travel accessible and trustworthy for these first-time international travellers.

  • Published On Sep 12, 2025 at 02:02 PM IST

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Travel Guides & Articles

Travel Meerut To Prayagraj In JUST 6 Hours News24 –

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The work of the Ganga Expressway, being constructed from Meerut to Prayagraj is now moving towards completion. Especially in the Hasanpur tehsil of the Amroha district, this expressway has been completely completed. Now, only the final work is going on, which is almost complete. It is expected that vehicles will start running on this route in the coming month.

The construction of a 23.60 km-long expressway in the Hasanpur area is planned to be completed by 12 October 2025, although road construction and lighting work have already been completed here. The work of laying a pipeline for drainage of rainwater has also been completed.

An overbridge and T-point have been prepared on the Hasanpur-Rahra road in Mangrola. Four toll plazas have also been built on both sides of this T-point. Apart from this, the construction of the bridge over the Ganga River in Pandapur has also been completed.

Officials say that some finishing work was stopped due to rain, which will be completed within the next one month. At the same time, sources say that the 594 km-long Ganga Expressway extending from Meerut to Prayagraj will be opened in the month of November, as reported by Jagran.

With the opening of the expressway, it will become very easy to cover the distance from Meerut to Prayagraj. People of Amroha will also get convenience in traveling to both the cities. This route will prove to be very useful for the devotees coming to the Tigri fair from Prayagraj and nearby districts. Also, devotees of Meerut, Hapur and Amroha will now be able to reach Sangam bath easily.

Apart from this, lawyers and litigants of western Uttar Pradesh will get great relief in reaching the Prayagraj High Court. They will be able to leave their home in the morning and return the same day after pleading their case in Prayagraj, as per media reports.

Also Read: India’s Widest Expressway Proposed: 12-Lane Hyderabad–Machilipatnam Project Awaits Government Approval




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A grown-up guide to India: How to ace the Golden Triangle and Mumbai – London Evening Standard

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A grown-up guide to India: How to ace the Golden Triangle and Mumbai  London Evening Standard



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Delhi’s Bhai Dooj gift: Pink Card registration to begin from mid October; free bus travel for women

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The Delhi government is set to launch the registration process for its Pink Card, a lifetime free bus travel pass for women, from mid-October, as a Bhai Dooj gift to the women of the national capital.According to a senior transport department official, the Pink Card will be valid for a lifetime and aims to make public transport easier and more accessible. The initiative will replace the existing paper-based ticket system with the ‘Saheli Smart Card’, described as a permanent and personalised pass designed to provide women with unrestricted and secure travel on government-run buses.He said registration for the card is expected to begin in October, allowing “Delhi’s daughters and sisters to avail unlimited free travel as a token of the government’s commitment towards their welfare.” The exact launch date and procedure will be finalised in a meeting scheduled for the coming week.The card will also enhance safety and reduce inconvenience by eliminating the need for daily paper tickets, offering instead a hassle-free smart card.Plans for the Saheli Smart Card were first outlined in July. At the time, officials confirmed that it would carry the holder’s name and photograph and would be available to women and transgender residents of Delhi aged 12 years and above. The card, issued under the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) framework, will allow free travel on all DTC and Cluster buses and can also be recharged and used across other transit services.“To obtain the card, applicants must be bona fide residents of Delhi, aged 12 years or above, and have valid proof of address. They must register online through the DTC portal, select a participating bank, and complete full KYC verification at the chosen bank branch,” the official told PTI.The list of required documents includes Aadhaar, PAN, proof of residence in Delhi, a passport-size photograph, and any additional paperwork specified under the bank’s KYC norms. Once the KYC process is completed, the issuing bank will dispatch the card directly to the applicant’s registered address.The Delhi government has invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) from banks and financial institutions to support the card’s roll-out. Officials clarified that while the government will not charge users for the free travel scheme, banks may impose a small fee for issuing or maintaining the card. In the event of loss, the cardholder must inform the issuing bank, which may replace it under its own policies.Before it can be used, the card must be activated through the Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) of DTC. While topping up will enable use across other public transport services, the free travel facility will apply only to DTC and Cluster buses.“No card will be issued directly by DTC. Registration is completely online through the DTC portal, and cards are issued only after full KYC verification by the selected bank,” the official added.The chief minister has previously criticised the old pink ticket system, introduced under the AAP government, arguing that it was prone to corruption.





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