Frequently Asked Questions
03. Where is Toto Company located?
04. What is your motivation behind Toto Company?
05. How is Toto Company different from other travel agencies?
07. Which locations do you cover?
08. What is the cost of your tours?
09. What does this estimated cost include?
11. What services do you provide to your clients?
12. Which airlines do you use?
13. What kind of accommodation do you use?
14. How will we travel between the cities?
15. How will we travel within the cities and for sightseeing?
16. What arrangements do you make for food?
17. Which sightseeing spots are covered in your trips?
19. What is the mode and schedule of payment?
20. How much is your fees and when it is to be paid?
21. To what extent Toto Company will be responsible for the tour?
22. What is your minimum group size?
23. How far in advance should we contact you?
24. How can I book a tour with Toto Company?
25. Can I meet you personally for before booking a tour?
26) What is the tax implication on international tours organised by Toto Company?
27) Where can I check your credentials?
28) Where can I get your travel itinerary?
29) What is your working hours?
30) Do you have any other offices, employees or agents?
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01. What is Toto Company?
Toto Company is the brand name of an international travel consultancy based in Kolkata. Toto Company is fully owned and solely operated by me, Supratim Bhowmick. I do not have any employees, branches or agents. Toto Company is a travel consultancy, not a travel agency.
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02. What is your background?
As on January 2024 I am 57 years old. I have a Bachelors degree in Physics and a post graduate degree in Marketing Management from the University of Calcutta. Before starting this venture I had been in industrial sales for 27 years in some Indian and multinational companies. To fulfil my passion for travelling I quit formal employment and started Toto Company in January 2018.
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03. Where is Toto Company located?
I operate from my residence located in 6B, Sarojini Road, Belgharia, Kolkata 700056. This place is 700 metre from Belgharia railway station and 2.5 km from Baranagar metro station. I meet prospective clients only with prior appointment.
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04. What is your motivation behind Toto Company?
Sometime in 2010 I became a member of an international travel community named Couchsurfing. Between 2012 and 2022 I hosted more than fifty foreigners from around the globe in my home. I was also hosted abroad by several foreigners. Some of them became my close friends. They taught me to travel slowly to the less familiar destinations and interact with local people. Through Toto Company I want to offer this alternative kind of travelling to the travel lovers of Bengal.
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05. How is Toto Company different from other travel agencies?
In Toto Company you will be guided by a passionate traveller, not a businessman. Starting from the planning to completion of the trip you will be guided only by me. This makes a lot of difference. I do not sell package tours or group tours. I only make fully customised tours for individual families. My tours are far more flexible, relaxed, economical and transparent than package tours. This is ideal for those who want to travel independently with their family and friends within their budget.
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06. What is your expertise?
I use my own travelling experience to create unique holiday experiences for my clients. I make only customised tours in Asia and Europe for budget travellers. My focus is on flexibility, economy and transparency. From 2018 to 2023 I made more than fifty customised tours. All my clients have been very happy. Please note that I do not book flights, hotels or provide visa assistance unless it is a part of a complete tour organised by Toto Company.
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07. Which locations do you cover?
I cover only select locations in Asia and Europe. Even within this continent I do not cover many destinations. However, I do cover the most popular destinations in these continents. I do not do domestic tours within India. Please ask to know if your destination is covered.
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08. What is the cost of your tours?
Since I do not sell package tours the cost of my tours differ from person to person. Still, just to give you an idea, a standard eight days tour to Indonesia of Vietnam for a family of three persons will cost around 1.8 – 2.0 lac rupees. And a standard eight days tour to Europe for a family of three persons will cost around 4.8 – 5.2 lac rupees. These are all-inclusive combined cost of a family of three persons, ex-Kolkata. Please note, this is just a rough estimate, not a package price.
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09. What does this estimated cost include?
My estimated cost include everything as listed below.
1) Return international flight from Kolkata/India.
2) Inter-city travel within the destination countries or cities.
3) Local transport within the cities.
4) Accommodation and food.
5) Visa fees and insurance.
6) Sightseeing expenses.
7) My consultancy fees.
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Other than your personal expenses my estimate covers all possible expenses for the entire trip. I make my travel plans and estimate based on feedback of my previous clients most of whom are middle class Bengalee budget travellers based in and around Kolkata. The exact cost of your trip will depend on your personal preference.
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10. What are the exclusions?
Other than your personal expenses like shopping, etc. there are no exclusions at all. If you strictly follow my plans you will not exceed the estimated cost communicated to you at the planning stage.
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11. What services do you provide to your clients?
Except providing a local guide I provide all assistance that are necessary to complete the tour. I book all the accommodations, hotels, sightseeing tickets, insurance, etc. I make all the documentations necessary for visa application. I prepare a detailed daily itinerary for the entire trip. While my clients are travelling I stay in touch with them through WhatsApp and provide necessary assistance as and when required. I do not accompany my clients, neither do I engage any local guides. In this manner I have successfully completed more than fifty tours.
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12. Which airlines do you use?
I do not have any personal preference. Depending on your itinerary and budget I will select the one that is the most suitable in terms of time, duration and cost.
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13. What kind of accommodation do you use?
I use accommodations that are centrally located, comfortable and economical. Depending on destinations and group size I decide whether to book a hotel, an apartment or a homestay. However the ultimate decision stays with my clients.
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14. How will we travel between the cities?
Unless unavoidable I prefer surface travel to air travel. My first preference in Europe is train, followed by bus. It differs from Asia to Europe and even between country to country. I always try to maintain a perfect balance between speed, comfort and economy. Here again, I only make my recommendations but the decision is yours.
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15. How will we travel within the cities and for sightseeing?
In Asia you will travel by private taxis and in Europe by public transport. In some places you may be required to take a boat or ship. In some places you will need to take cable cars or inclined railways. You will be adequately trained so that you can confidently use public transport in Europe without any assistance.
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16. What arrangements do you make for food?
Considering the standard of living in the destination country I keep a daily budget on food and beverage that is sufficient for an average Indian to cover breakfast, two meals and evening tea. I will suggest you places where you can have meals at an affordable rate. For those who prefer self cooking I can try to arrange apartments with kitchen.
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17. Which sightseeing spots are covered in your trips?
It all depends on what you want to see and what your time and budget permit. I include the most popular sightseeing spots in my standard estimate. For most tourists this list will be exhaustive. However, you are free to suggest your own choice depending on your time and budget.
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18. Do you arrange visa?
Yes, I do the all documentation necessary for visa application. However you have to provide me the necessary documents and make yourself available for biometrics wherever applicable. For Europe tours, before accepting my clients I first check whether they meet the visa eligibility conditions.
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19. What is the mode and schedule of payment?
While I will make all your travel arrangements you will make all the payments directly with card/cash as directed. Some payments like flights, trains, buses, visa fees are to paid in the initial stage. Some other payments like accommodation, sightseeing expenses are to be paid before starting of the trip. And some expenses like local transport, food, etc. are to be paid on arrival at each destination. This differs from country to country. You must have internet banking and credit card. If you don’t, I can advise you how to get them.
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20. How much is your fees and when it is to be paid?
My standard fee is 10% of the estimated cost. It is to be fully paid in the very beginning before I start planning your trip. This is already included in the tour estimate that I give to my clients before they pay my fees. Please note, other than my fees I do not accept any money in my account.
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21. To what extent Toto Company will be responsible for the tour?
My role is that of a consultant. In case your tours is adversely affected by factors beyond our control I will put in my best efforts to salvage the situation. If your tour is affected by natural or political forces there is very little I can do. In case of flight/train/bus/hotel cancellation I will assist you in making alternative arrangements so that the tour can continue. However, there will be no compensation from my end. Most of these case are covered by travel insurance.
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22. What is your minimum group size?
As such there are no limitations. But recently I have stopped taking solo travellers. I arrange tours for couples, families and small groups. During peak tourist seasons like Summer Vacation, Puja holidays or Christmas holidays I may prefer families or small groups to couples.
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23. How far in advance should we contact you?
Earlier the better, particularly tourist seasons. For trips in Asia you may contact me three months in advance and for Europe trips six months in advance. There are instances of some clients booking tours 8-9 months in advance. Since I do limited tours my slots get booked months in advance.
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24. How can I book a tour with Toto Company?
Once you show interest in touring with Toto Company I will ask you some basic questions to understand your requirements and also to ensure to you qualify the visa eligibility criteria. Then I will send you links of my website and social media pages so that you can check my credentials. Once you are satisfied I will check the latest cost figures and then ask you to transfer my fees. Once the fees are paid I will send you the details travel plan and then the booking process will start.
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25. Can I visit your office for discussion before booking a tour?
No, you can meet me in person only after the tour is booked. Because other than what is already discussed on phone, I do not share any additional information about the trip before my fees are paid. I share my itinerary or other travel related information only to my paid clients.
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26) What is the tax implication on international tours organised by Toto Company?
I do not sell package tours. All the travel are paid directly by my clients. I just provide consultancy services and receive a consultancy fee against my services. As long as my annual turnover remains within 20 lac rupees no GST is payable. For the same reason TCS is also not applicable. However, at the time of reservation please verify these from your end too.
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27) Where can I check your credentials?
In YouTube, Google and Facebook. The easiest way will be to check the YouTube link.
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28) Where can I get your travel itinerary?
Since I make only customised tours I do not have any fixed itinerary. Each travel plan is unique and is available only to the client who paid for it. Before payment of fees I only give a broad outline and a reliable cost estimate of the proposed tour.
29) What is your working hours?
You may call me any day between 8 am and 10 pm. I prefer talking to chatting on WhatsApp. You may also meet me in person with prior appointment. When you contact me for discussion please have the following information ready.
i) Destinations, ii) Dates, iii) Duration, iv) Number of persons, v) Budget.
30) Do you have any other offices, employees or agents?
No. I work alone. My one and only contact number is +91-9330325566.