Thomas Cook half way through recovery
Thomas Cook chairman Frank Meysman has said he feels the tour operator’s turnaround is 50% complete.
In an interview with the Telegraph, he suggests the company is half way there.
He said: "Yes there is weed in the front yard, but people sometimes forget there is a beautiful green pasture across the channel. But OK, we need to make sure we eliminate the weed and have nice Wimbledon-like grass in the UK as well.
"We’ve now laid the foundations and can get into the next six months which will be about focusing on the customer rather than just financial matters.
"People realised we had to change; before that not everybody was convinced internally.
"The UK is definitely seeing a turnaround but in that turnaround there are elements of shop closures, of how we look at cost and service. You’re going to see a continual restructuring in the UK to put more focus on the customer and products."
In the last six months three non-executive directors and more recently the finance director have left; a refinancing deal with the banks has been agreed that allows for three years of breathing space; and the debt has been reduced by £400million.
Last week saw the sale of Thomas Cook’s Indian business for £94m and Harriet Green appointed as the travel group’s new chief executive, see previous story.
Diane
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
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026