Thomas Cook announces rapid growth plans for China
Thomas Cook China is aiming to increase passenger numbers more than 10-fold over the next year, according to its managing director Alessandro Dassi.
Speaking at the 2017 FVW Congress in Germany, Dassi said the company – a joint venture between Thomas Cook and the Chinese investment conglomerate Fosun – will have served 20,000 customers by September 30, the end of its first year.
"Over the next 12 months, we plan to grow this number by more than 10 times," said Dassi. "The ambition is to make China a sizeable market for Thomas Cook Group, comparable, over time, with our more mature source markets in Europe."
Officially launched in September 2016, Thomas Cook China operates inbound, domestic and outbound tourism from offices in Shanghai and Beijing.
While the China travel market is large and fast growing, and represents the world’s largest source of outbound visitors, it is also very competitive and fragmented, said Dassi.
"There is already huge choice in the market for the Chinese leisure travellers, and a great focus on price."
One of the biggest opportunities for newcomers such as Thomas Cook comes from the rapid change in the behaviour of Chinese travellers, as they move away from traditional group tour travel towards a more independent and higher quality type of travel, he said.
Dassi added: "The industry is not yet keeping up with the pace of change in the behaviour of Chinese consumers. To exploit this gap we have focused on developing products that are truly unique and differentiated, leveraging Thomas Cook’s~resources across key tourist destinations."
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 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
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