The Hindu Business Line : ICC-approved travel agencies looking at ways to cut losses

Mumbai March 26 The five ICC-approved travel agencies could be meeting in the next two to three days in New Delhi to discuss ways to cut their losses following India's shock ouster from the ICC Cricket World Cup.

EMI modalities

Speaking to Business Line, Mr Mohit Khanna, Business Head-India and MICE of FCm Travel Solutions, said: "We might come up with EMI schemes as a last ditch attempt to kindle some interest in cricket lovers to go to the Caribbean. Our team is working on the EMI (equated monthly instalment) modalities on the loan packages taken," he said.

Currently, FCm Travel Solutions offers World Cup packages in the range of Rs 2.7 lakh to Rs 4 lakh.

The Delhi-based FCm Travel Solutions India Ltd (formerly Friends Globe Travels Ltd), is one of the five ICC-approved travel agencies in India with the others being Trust Tours & Travels, Pyramid Travels and SOTC in Mumbai and Air Cruise Travels Pvt Ltd, in Delhi.

FCm Travel Solutions has sold only 70 per cent of its inventory and has packages for the semi-finals and finals of the Cup.

`No refunds'

However, customers who have already booked packages anticipating an Indian win, will not get refunds.

"We made it clear in our brochure that there would be no refunds if packages were cancelled. We [the travel agency] will not get a refund from the airlines or the cruise lines or even the ICC, if packages are cancelled," said Mr P. Srinivas, Vice- President for SOTC Sports Abroad.

More packages

"The bookings were always subject to India qualifying for the Super 8," said a spokesperson from Pyramid Travels. Pyramid Travels had plans to procure about 200-300 more packages from the ICC, in the event of India reaching the Super 8.

The company has sold about 95 per cent of the 200 packages assigned to it.India's performance has been a disappointment for cricket fans and tour operators; yet the travel trade hopes the premature end to the Indian world cup dream will push up tours to countries other than the Caribbean.

Repeated attempts to contact Air Cruise Travels Pvt Ltd proved futile, while Trust Travel & Tours was not available for comment.