Thomas Cook retail brand strength key to independent sector growth
The strength of the Thomas Cook brand will be utilised to grow the newly merged group’s independent travel offering.
Joint chief executive Manny Fontenla Novoa said that unlike Thomson and First Choice, Thomas Cook was a recognised retail brand and one that would help support “aggressive” growth in independent holiday sales.
While the market for package holidays remains robust at around 19 million a year, independent holidays are set to grow from 23 million to 29 million a year by 2010.
Thomas Cook already has a slice of the sector through Flexibletrips and online component and retail flight sales, but wants to grow further following the merger with MyTravel.
This will be done by utilising the 40,000 beds available across the group combined with other stock, systems and yield management, according to Fontenla Novoa.
He described Thomas Cook as the best retail brand in travel in the UK “bar none”, giving the group a major opportunity to expand in the independent sector.
The ambition was to grow to be the number one or number two player in independent travel to try to match the dominant positions the company already holds in retailing cruises and flights.
Discussing UK cutbacks as part of the merger, which will see up to 2,800 jobs lost, Fontenla Novoa declined to be drawn on giving a break down of the numbers that would go from different parts of the combined organisation.
However, it was stressed that the vast majority of those who are office-based will be offered relocation while retail staff will have the option of taking roles in other agency branches. In a previous round of Going Places shop closures, 92% of affected staff were redeployed.
The process is not expected to last longer than 90 days.
*See related stories.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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