Thomas Cook launches new concept hotels but dumps Manos brochure
Thomas Cook has ditched Manos as a standalone brand as part of a simplification of its product range and introduced new concept hotels for summer 2014.
Instead of bringing out a separate Manos brochure for next year, Cook has incorporated the programme into its Holidays in the Sun mainstream programme.
It is understood the operator is planning to incorporate several more stand-alone brands into its mainstream programme by the time it launches its full summer 2014 product range in July.
Group chief executive Harriet Green announced earlier this year she would be looking to sell some of Cook’s brands in a bid to turnaround the loss-making business, although she has yet to confirm which ones are to go.
UK chief executive Peter Fankhauser said for summer 2014 Cook would offer better product, more flights and more flexibility.
One of Cook’s key strategies for the future would be the expansion of its concept hotels, he said.
SENTIDO, the operator’s first hotel brand which was introduced to the UK market a year ago, will be expanded. For summer 2014 there will be 44 hotels for singles, couples and small families.
In addition, Cook has added Smartline, a brand launched in Germany last year, and Sunprime, launched in Scandinavia, to its UK programmes. Smartline features 22 budget hotels for families and Sunprime is a more upmarket, adult-only range.
To make its flights more accessible, the company has entered into a codeshare with its German scheduled airline Condor, so its services will be bookable on GDSs; it has also recently announced a tie up with Flybe for transfer passengers.
For summer 2014, there will be more flying days so passengers can choose 10/11 night durations in addition to more traditional seven and 14-night holidays.
Announcing the new plans for 2014, Fankhauser, who joined the business last November, said his aim was for Cook to become "the most loved and the most profitable travel company in the UK."
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
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