Rating Rationale
August 30, 2019 | Mumbai
Desert Adventures Tourism L.L.C
Rating Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.93 Crore
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+(SO) (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL A1+(SO)' rating on the short-term bank facility of Desert Adventures Tourism L.L.C (DATL), backed by a corporate guarantee from Thomas Cook (India) Ltd (TCIL; rated 'CRISIL AA-/Stable/CRISIL A1+').
 
The rating factors in the continuing, unconditional, and irrevocable corporate guarantee, provided by DATL's ultimate parent, TCIL, to all the facilities. Credit risk profile, thus, mirrors TCIL's credit risk profile.

Analytical Approach

The rating is based on CRISIL's criteria on rating of structured obligations. The (SO) suffix reflects payment structure that is designed to ensure full and time-bound payment to lenders.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
The credit analysis is based on:
* Strength of continuing, unconditional, and irrevocable guarantee provided by parent for DATL's entire facilities. Credit quality of rated facilities reflects the credit quality of the guarantor. CRISIL understands TCIL has undertaken to monitor the firm's cash flow and service debt obligation in a full and time-bound manner, irrespective of invocation of corporate guarantee.
 
* According to the payment mechanism, the guarantor will pay on the due date, any amount due and payable by DATL in relation to the bank facility, in case of any default on, or shortfall in, payment by DATL. The guarantee and undertaking together cover the principal, interest, and other monies payable on the guaranteed bank facility.

Liquidity: Strong
The rated instrument has strong liquidity, as the guarantee structure (unconditional and irrevocable guarantee by TCIL), ensures timely repayment of debt. Without the credit enhancement offered by the guarantee, CRISIL believes internal accrual and cash and cash equivalents will be insufficient to cover the debt obligation and incremental working capital requirement.
 
Rating sensitivity factors:
Downward factors
* Weakening in credit profile of the guarantor, resulting in downgrade in its rating by one notch
* Change in TCIL's ownership and support philosophy towards DATL
 
About the Company

DATL, a leading Dubai-based destination management company, became part of the Thomas Cook India group in June 2017, post-acquisition of destination management specialists (DMS) business from Kuoni Travel Investments Ltd and its affiliates. DATL is 49% owned by Travel Circle International (Mauritius) Ltd, a joint venture between SOTC Travel Ltd ('CRISIL AA-/Stable) and Travel Corporation India Ltd ('CRISIL AA-/Stable). The remaining 51% is held by nominee, a UAE (United Arab Emirates) national. However, entire control remains with the Thomas Cook group. DATL operates in the UAE, Jordan, and Oman.
 
About the guarantor
TCIL is the leading integrated travel and travel related financial services company in India, offering a broad spectrum of services that include foreign exchange, corporate travel, leisure travel, visa and passport services.
 
In May 2012, Fairfax bought 77% stake in the Thomas Cook Group Plc's India entity, TCIL, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Fairbridge Capital Mauritius Ltd (FCML). As on March 31, 2019, FCML's shareholding in TCIL was 67.03%. Fairfax is a Toronto (Canada)-based financial services holding company with global presence in insurance and reinsurance and an asset portfolio in excess of USD 38 billion invested worldwide.
 
As part of the sale agreement, TCIL retains the right to use the Thomas Cook brand till 2025. Also, TCIL acquired the Kuoni group's travel-related businesses in Hong Kong (November 2015) and India (December 2015) for around Rs 535 crore, and DMS business in June 2017, for Rs 140 crore. In October 2017, the group also acquired TATA Capital Forex Ltd (forex business) and TC Travel and Services Ltd (travel services business), from TATA Capital Ltd ('CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+').
 
In February 2014, TCIL acquired Sterling Holiday Resorts (India) Ltd, a vacation ownership company, primarily funded using Rs 500 crore infused by the parent, Fairfax. In February 2013, TCIL acquired 74% stake in IKYA Human Capital Solutions Pvt Ltd (now known as Quess Corp) for Rs 256 crore. On completion of the proposed corporate restructuring scheme, Quess Corp will be demerged from the TCIL group.
 
On February 25, 2019, TCIL (under its subsidiaries) entered into an agreement to acquire 51% stake in DEI, with an enterprise value of Rs 282 crore (USD 40.6 million). The said acquisition was completed on March 28, 2019. DEI is leading souvenir imaging solutions provider and is associated with over 120 partners across 14 countries.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2018* 2017*
Revenue Rs crore 423 383
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore -4 -9
PAT margins % -1.0 -2.5
Adjusted debt/Adjusted networth^ Times NM NM
Interest coverage^ Times NM NM
*Financials are for year ended December 31, and adjusted in INR at conversion rate of 1 AED = 18.8 INR for year 2018 and 1AED = 18.2 INR for year 2017
^Not meaningful, Company has negative networth

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of instrument Date of allotment Coupon rate (%) Maturity date Issue size (Rs crore) Rating assigned with outlook
NA Standby letter of credit^ NA NA NA 93.0 CRISIL A1+(SO)
 ^Standby letter of credit facility of USD 14 million. Includes sublimit of line of credit for short-term loan. Facility is guaranteed by Thomas Cook (India) Ltd.
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  93.00  CRISIL A1+(SO)      03-05-18  CRISIL A1+(SO)  04-10-17  CRISIL A1+(SO)    --  -- 
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Standby Letter of Credit^ 93 CRISIL A1+(SO) Standby Letter of Credit^ 93 CRISIL A1+(SO)
Total 93 -- Total 93 --
^Standby letter of credit facility of USD 14 million. Includes sublimit of line of credit for short-term loan. Facility is guaranteed by Thomas Cook (India) Ltd.
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Parent Support

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