Cosmos brand ditched by Monarch
Cosmos Holidays has changed its name to Monarch and announced that from next summer it will move away from using third-party airlines.
Avro and Somewhere2Stay, which sell flights and hotel accommodation respectively through the travel trade, will also change their names to Monarch.
From summer 2016, the holiday programme offered by the tour operator will feature only destinations served by Monarch, it announced today.
"The tour operator will move away from using third-party carriers by this time," it said.
It also said it will offer an improved range of hotels next summer.
Monarch Group chief executive Andrew Swaffield added: "For almost 50 years the Monarch name has stood for quality, value and excellent service. Now is the right time for us to consolidate all of our travel products under one brand."
Monarch will also be introducing a new website, monarchagents.co.uk, through which travel trade partners can book flights, holidays and hotels. It is scheduled to go live before the end of this year.
Richard Francis, managing director of Monarch Tour Operations, said: "From now on we will be able to give our trade partners and their customers one integrated programme of flights, holidays and hotels.
"We believe that bringing the Monarch brand into the trade for the first time, and putting all of our products under this one well-established brand, provides clarity and consistency for our trade partners and their customers."
The Cosmos brand, which was launched in the UK more than 50 year ago, will continue to be used by Cosmos Tours, which is no longer connected to the Monarch Group.
Cosmos Tours managing director Alan MacLean said: "The Cosmos name has an incredible heritage not only with British travellers but on a worldwide basis.
"We are all excited about the future as we look at strengthening the brand and taking the business forward to enhance our customer proposition in all aspects of the service and products we offer.
"Agents and customers can look forward to an exciting choice of fully flexible touring and cruising holidays as we develop our worldwide programme particularly in all aspects of the cruising industry."
Following Monarch’s decision to drop the name, Cosmos Tours has refreshed the brand and a new look will be rolled out across all its marketing material and the second edition of its 2016 brochures.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026