Thomas Cook Sport team snapped up by Clarity
Manchester-based travel management company Clarity has recruited the entire Thomas Cook Sports travel management team.
At the same time, it has also taken over the travel arrangements for a number of Premier League football clubs and Premiership and Pro14 rugby clubs, previously handled by Thomas Cook.
Clarity said that Thomas Cook Sport staff had been continuing to assist the teams with their travel even after the company went bust, until Clarity stepped in.
It hired 17 Thomas Cook Sport travel management team within 48 hours of the company going into involuntary liquidation, creating a new division, Clarity Sports, led by former Thomas Cook Sport head Rob Slawson. They will be based at Clarity’s Manchester HQ.
"As these travel experts were known and trusted by the clubs to handle all aspects of player travel, the seamless switch of these clubs to Clarity Sports happened within 24 hours," it said.
Clarity CEO Pat McDonagh added: "Players, fans and officials of multiple teams across football, rugby and cricket have all been left in a very difficult situation following the demise of Thomas Cook Sport.
"The logistics of moving sports teams from game to game is a complex operation and because we were already working with many of these clubs, we were able to move quickly to offer jobs to those impacted by the Thomas Cook situation. They quickly joined our team and together we had the industry knowledge to step in at short notice and give practical solutions.
"For instance, Ulster Rugby were due to travel to South Africa for Pro14 fixtures against the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings and we have been able to work very closely with their CEO Jonny Petrie and his team to ensure very quickly and effectively that there has been a full continuity of service and that the integrity of all arrangements has been maintained through the short transition period.
"We have enormous sympathy for the fans who have also been affected by the collapse of Thomas Cook Sport and understand that the clubs and the CAA are doing everything they can to ensure they don’t missut on the games they’d already booked packages for.
"Right now our focus is on team travel and logistics, however where possible we are assisting the clubs with future supporter travel plans."
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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