McEwan urges members to take advantage of Cook merger
The Thomas Cook merger with Cooperative Group is an opportunity to Advantage Travel members to flag up their independence to the consumer, according to the consortium’s chief executive and ABTA chairman John McEwan.
He told Travelmole that until the news this morning, Cooperative had thrived on its ability to show customers they sold independently. But the pressure on its branches now to sell Thomas Cook product meant Advantage members could clean up when it comes to showcasing their total impartiality.
He added: "From our point of view we see this as a great opportunity. We are the largest independent travel group in the UK. Until now the Cooperative Group has always positoned itself in that space but this is no longer the case.
"Now it’s about flagging up that our members give the consumer a real and viable alternative."
He went on to express surprise that Co-operative had given up its market niche as an independent seller but said the move made perfect sense from Thomas Cook’s point of view.
"I understand the rationale, to secure more distribution, for Cook but was surprised at the Coooperative," he said.
by Dinah Hatch
Dinah
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