The Hindu Business Line : Students catch eye of travel agents, airlines

Extra baggage allowance, discounted fares, commission waiver on foreign exchange, insurance covers and a bouquet of other goodies are coming their way.

According to Thomas Cook India, the market for students going abroad is witnessing a 40-45 per cent year-on-year growth. “In 2007, around 1.45 lakh students went overseas and we expect the number to touch 2 lakh this year. This is the reason we introduced a specific product called U Special last year,” Mr Mahesh Iyer, General Manager, Foreign Exchange, Thomas Cook India, told Business Line.

Education loan

Starting this year, the travel company will also assist students in getting an education loan, for which it has tied up with HDFC Bank, State Bank of India and some other private banks. It is also offering extra baggage of up to 78 kg to London and to the US and Canada up to 110 kg. Exclusive fare of Rs 13,000 plus taxes is being offered on the Mumbai-to-London sector, while special discounts are also being given to family members accompanying students.

The list of perks does not end here. Students can avail themselves of one per cent discount on the foreign exchange rates from Cox and Kings and Thomas Cook. Cox and Kings also waives the commission on the forex otherwise charged from customers. “We have a list of students who book with us so we also assist them at the Indian airports by clearing necessary procedures,” said a spokesperson of the company.

Baggage space

Competition to capture a sizeable portion of this growing pie is evident among airlines as well. While India’s national carrier, Air India, is offering extra baggage allowance for students travelling to the West, Far East and South-East Asian countries on its flights till October 31, 2008, Jet Airways flies further: its offerings include special fares and a chance to earn 1,000 bonus JPMiles subject to terms and conditions.

As part of the promotional package, students will also get ‘Student Kits’, which will contain a Matrix mobile connection with free talk-time worth Rs 4,000 in select countries, ICICI Bank Travel Cards for transactions across the world, a free Tata Indicom Wi-Fi Roam Card enabling internet connectivity from over 50,000 hotspots, Bajaj Allianz Travel Insurance with special privileges and low premiums and VIP vouchers worth Rs 500 on purchase of VIP travel accessories. This offer is also valid for travel on or before October 31.

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