Dozens of travel firms have come forward offering Thomas Cook staff jobs or career advice after 9,000 staff were left unemployed by the travel giant’s collapse.
Travel Weekly has put together a directory of homeworking groups, travel agencies and suppliers which have invited Thomas Cook staff to apply for job vacancies or get in touch. You can also see advertised job roles on Travel Weekly’s Jobs page here
A dedicated job resource and advice portal has been set up here in partnership with C&M Recruitment containing CV tips, interview techniques and more.
Any travel businesses wishing to be added to the list please email amie.keeley@travelweekly.co.uk.
Homeworking
Designer Travel
The boss of the luxury travel agency Amanda Matthews has offered free advice to affected staff about homeworking and urged Cook agents to carefully consider the options available and not rush a decision.
She recommends shop workers to consider:
1. If they will be happy working from home when you are used to being part of an in-store team.
2. Ask about commission levels paid, when they’re paid, monthly fees, support, 24-hour cover, commercial terms, systems, insurance cover for dynamic packages. “Think long term, not a quick win like no joining fee.”
3. Do you need leads or can you source and service your own clients?
To speak to Amanda Matthews call 07753929930 or her colleague Karen Pocock on 07753929989.
Travel Counsellors
Homeworking group is hosting ‘Care Events’ which will include practical steps for job hunting, including impartial advice and support for those seeking new job opportunities, CV workshops and interview skills.
Register at thomascook.travelcounsellors.co.uk or call 0161 464 5040.
It is also waiving its joining and management fees for those interested in becoming a Travel Counsellor.
Inspire
The homeworking firm is waiving its set-up fee for all staff from Thomas Cook, Freedom Travel Group and Personal Travel Agents. Email ivrie.cohen@inspireemail.co.uk or visit recruitment.travelbyinspire.co.uk
Holidaysplease.co.uk
The homeworking group has urged staff to apply for office sales positions or homeworking roles. If a number of people from the same area applied successfully the company said it would fund the set-up of a new office, rather than staff having to relocate to its Birmingham offices, and allow colleagues to stay working together. Call 0121 200 5720 or email agne@holidaysplease.com
The company is also holding open days to provide information on homeworking, franchise, paid office roles and other available set-up options. Visit the Facebook page here
Not Just Travel and The Travel Franchise
Travel business has launched a homeworking package to help Cook employees, including an express training programme with reduced entry costs.
Your Holiday Booking
Vertical Travel Group’s homeworking division is waiving all set-up fees and a special financial package to affected Cook staff, as well as an advanced turnaround time to get them set up quickly. Email suzanne.brunt@yourholidaybooking.com or call 07704 536607.
The Personal Travel Agents at Co-operative Travel
The group has set up a dedicated line for those affected with an extended evening time and is waiving joining fees. It is also offering six months’ free maintenance and a quick set-up for new Cook recruits.
Contact Sheena or Karen on 0333 003 5678 or email recruitment@thepersonaltravelagents.co.uk
Newcastle Cruise Club
Newcastle Cruise Club is recruiting homeworkers with cruise sales experience to sell cruise packages. Contact Andrew Mackie on 0191 2171965 or enquiries@newcastlecruiseclub.co.uk
Perfect Weddings Abroad
The weddings specialist has seen an influx of applications for its homeworking vacancies from Thomas Cook staff and has waived its joining fee to help support them. For details, contact Melissa Lowe-Woolley, marketing and customer engagement manager on 01543 439398 or melissa.lowe@perfectweddingsabroad.co.uk
Arrive Relax Travel
Southend on Sea-based homeworking company Arrive Relax Travel has vacancies across the UK and will waive joining fees, as well as the first three months’ fees, for Thomas Cook and Freedom Travel PTAs. The Travel Trust Association member says it can get homeworking businesses trading within 24 hours. Call Richard Dobinson on 01702 861004 or Angie Akister on 01702 861003 or click here for details.
The Holiday Village
Family-run business The Holiday Village has homeworking opportunities and can help agents to be trading within 24 hours. For more information contact Paula Nuttall on email at paula@theholidayvillage.com or call 0771 821 4643.
Global Travel Group
The Global Travel Group has homeworking opportunities for former Thomas Cook staff. It says those joining the consortium will not have to pay a joining fee. Contact the new business team on 0800 652 9808, email hello@globaltravelgroup.com or visit globaltravelgroup.com
Travel agencies
Midcounties
The agency chain has opportunities for “passionate and sales-driven” staff to join its retail network in the West Midlands, Staffordshire, East Midlands, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire Somerset and Dorset. Email careers@cooptravel.co.uk to find out about vacancies.
Flight Centre Travel Group
The agency chain said it would “strive to help out and work harder than ever” to ensure that as many Cook staff are re-employed. It has launched a dedicated Thomas Cook application for experienced consultants guaranteeing every application will receive a phone interview. More information here
Travel House
The Welsh agency miniple has various vacancies throughout its retail network covering west Wales to Bristol. Email jan@travelhouse.co.uk
Triangle Travel
Vacancies are available in the agency’s Newbury and Reading areas.
Call Sarah Kenton on 01635 916888 or email sarahkenton@triangletravel.co.uk
Savvi Travel
The independent agency has vacancies at its Olney and Ampthill stores. Email admin@savvitravel.co.uk
Arrow Travel, Belfast
Email CVs to david@arrowtravelbelfast.com
Stewart Travel Group
Job opportunities are available in Ayrshire and Glasgow. Email careers@stewarttravelgroup.co.uk
Hays Travel
The large agency chain has a number of roles needing to be filled nationwide. Visit haystravel.co.uk/careers
Hays Travel North West
Travel agency is hoping to increase its store network to 50 branches. Managing director Don Bircham said there are “opportunities coming up”. Visit its website
Miles Morgan Travel
The miniple is “keen to talk” to Cook staff about possible employment. Call 01291 762007.
Premier Travel
East of England-based agency chain Premier Travel said it would recruit former Thomas Cook staff “where we can”. Visit the company website here
Barrhead Travel
The agency has launched a recruitment campaign for Thomas Cook employees. Jobs are being advertised across its store network with positions including regional sales managers, store managers, travel consultants and FX consultants.
A full list of vacancies can be found by visiting this website or contact the recruitment team on 0141 223 6655, or email recruitment@barrheadtravel.co.uk
Brilliant Travel
Barrhead Travel’s homeworking and Managed Service Travel Partner (MSTP) division has called for applications from former Thomas Cook employees. Contact the Brilliant Travel Recruitment team on 0800 033 4790 or email becomebrilliant@brillianttravel.co.uk
Lincolnshire Co-op
The agency has full-time vacancies in Boston and Louth and part-time positions in Horncastle and Louth.
More Travel
Located on the doorstep of Cook’s head office in Peterborough in the neighbouring town of Stamford, the agency is encouraging anyone with long-haul, luxury and luxury cruise knowledge to send in their CV. Email Hello@more-Travel.co.uk
Wallace Arnold Travel
The Yorkshire-based travel agency is seeking full-time sales managers and full and part-time travel consultants email Michelle.Metcalfe@WallaceArnoldTravel.com
Isleworth Travel
Located in the Twickenham and Richmond areas of London, the agency is looking for leisure and business travel consultants. Email careers.uk@isleworthtravel.com
Ultimate Destinations
The 25-year-old travel agency has vacancies for part-time staff in its Chorleywood office and in its homeworking division. Email Alan Haynes alan@ultimatedestinations.co.uk or call 01923 284148
Cruise118
The cruise agency is offering the employees in Chorley, Preston, Blackburn and other northwest towns a free workshop to help Cook staff update their CVs and go through interview techniques. Comment on the agency Facebook post here if you would like to attend.
Iglu
The online cruise agency has job vacancies in its Wimbledon and Portsmouth offices as well as homeworking opportunities. Visit careers.iglu.com
Cruise Nation
Cruise tour operator is recruiting for two sales advisor roles. Apply on its website here
Bolsover Cruise Club
Cruise agency has a number of jobs advertised on its website
Cruise.co.uk
The online cruise agency is welcoming all CVs. Email careers@cruise.co.uk. Visit the recruitment section of its website to see all job vacancies.
Cruise Holidays UK
The travel firm is waiving its joining fee for any Thomas Cook cruise specialist who joins. Register your interest by calling 0800 321 3372 or email:admin@cruiseholidaysuk.co.uk, bjames@cruiseholidaysuk.co.uk, wknight@cruiseholidaysuk.co.uk
Jetline Cruise
The cruise operator is looking for experienced staff to work in its river cruise and luxury ocean cruise product divisions, with homeworking possible for all positions. Email andrew@jetlinetravel.com
Travel Four Seasons
The tailor-made specialist has encouraged Cook agents to email Sean Fletcher about job opportunities in its Harpenden store. Email sean@travelfourseasons.co.uk or call 01442 267959
Palatinate Group
Leisure and holiday specialist Palatinate has various opportunities in its London and Brighton offices for experienced travel professionals. Email paul.lenzan@palatinategroup.com or call 020 7336 5461
Click Travel
The business travel agency has travel consultant roles available on its website
RB Collection
The luxury Staffordshire agency is open to applicants looking to work at its store on the outskirts of Lichfield. Visit rbcollection.com/careers/
Henbury Travel
The Macclesfield agency is seeking full and part-time consultants. Call Richard Slater on 01625 466100.
Baldwins Travel
The Kent and Sussex based agency has a couple of vacancies. Email hr@baldwins-travel.co.uk
Travel and Transport Statesman
The TMC is looking for business travel consultants and a business travel supervisor to work at its office near St Paul’s, London. Visit its website for more details
Travel Stop
The Hertfordshire-based agency has a full or a part-time travel consultant job available in its Buntingford store. Email hayley@travel-stop.co.uk
Advantage Travel Partnership
The consortium has many agency members on the lookout for Thomas Cook retail staff. Email Membership@advantagetravelpartnership.com or call 020 7324 3931.
The consortium is keen to speak to Freedom members and Thomas Cook staff that are looking to continue trading or set-up a travel agency business. Email bdteam@advantagetravelpartnership.com or call 020 7324 3931.
Freedom Destinations
The long-haul specialist is looking for telephone consultants for its Australia, Africa, South East Asia and America divisions at its call centre in Hertford. Visit freedomdestinations.co.uk/careers
Polka Dot Travel
The independent agency is very keen to help Cook colleagues and would love to hear from retail managers or experienced retail teams looking for new opportunities.
The business has vacancies in Lichfield, Nantwich, Mold, Wrexham, Leek. Email vacancies@polkadottravel.co.uk
Ramsay World Travel
The agency has vacancies throughout the east of Scotland. Email cbr@ramsayworldtravel.co.uk
DialAFlight
The travel firm has a number of roles available including customer service, business development managers and web developers. Candidates should email recruitment@dialaflight.co.uk. You can visit the careers section of its website for more information.
Colchester Travel
The agency and operator has retail positions available in its Colchester, Coggeshall, Dunmow and Billericay stores in Essex, and a reservation and product manager positions in its tour operator division. Email jobs@colchestertravel.co.uk
Select Travel
The independent agency has an opening for a part-time travel consultant at its branch in Horsham, West Sussex. The role will involve dealing with high-end tailor-made bookings and knowledge of Australasia, the US and Canada is preferable. Email Naina Mehta on naina@select-travel.co.uk or call 01403 262727.
Meon Valley Business Travel
The business travel agency is recruiting business travel consultants who have experience of working on high-end travel accounts, and ideally two-four years’ experience working at a business travel management company. Send CVs to kerry@meonvalleytravel.com
On the Beach
The online travel agency is headquartered in Cheadle and has been offering careers advice and information about job opportunities. Email Christine.wilkins@onthebeach.co.uk or call 07539 364969.
Central England Co-operative
Central England Co-operative has three travel consultant vacancies in Lincolnshire and one for an assistant branch manager in Warwickshire. Click here for details.
Swords Travel
Swords Travel has a vacancy for a full-time travel agent to join the team at the agency’s new Wimbledon store. Contact Mark Swords on email at mark@swordstravel.co.uk or check the vacancy posted on the agency’s website here.
Alba Travel
Scottish agency Alba Travel is recruiting a branch manager for its Inverness shop. Interested agents can send a message and their CV to nmm.shorerecruitment@stena.com
Sound Travel
Sound Travel partners with event organisers to create packages that include official tickets and hotels. It is expanding its operational team in Crawley and has a vacancy for an operations executive. Candidates can email operations manager Stephanie James with their CV at stephanie.james@soundtravel.co.uk
Global Travel Group
The Global Travel Group has high street opportunities for former Thomas Cook staff. It says those joining the consortium will not have to pay a joining fee. Contact the new business team on 0800 652 9808, email hello@globaltravelgroup.com or visit globaltravelgroup.com
Kuoni
The luxury operator said it has been so impressed with the quality of applicants from Thomas Cook that it has created additional vacancies for ex-Thomas Cook staff across its retail network: Reading, Oxford, Cardiff, Welwyn Garden City, Lakeside, Aberdeen, Cambridge, Southampton, Milton Keynes and London (White City, London City and Peter Jones). Visit peoplehr.com/customers/kuoni/
hotelshopUK
Several vacancies are being advertised by expanding leisure and business travel agency hotelshopUK, which is based in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire. Several of the jobs are due to start in January, 2020, and there may be training on offer in December. Roles include a reservations agent, reservations supervisor, head of groups, and head of travel trade. Write with a covering letter and CV, with the name of the vacancy for which you are applying in the subject line, to Claire Elnor, HR and quality manager, hr@hotelshopuk.com. Details of the vacancies are here.
Operators
easyJet Holidays
The operator has job posts in several different departments in Luton.
Visit careers.easyjet.com/easyjet-holidays
Jet2.com and Jet2holidays
The operator and airline said they have vacancies available and were in contact with Cook’s HR department. Visit Jet2’s website to see current vacancies.
dnata Travel Group
The travel group, which owns Travelbag, Travel 2 and Global Travel Group, has lots of roles available across 14 of its consumer and trade-facing brands in multiple locations. Visit the Contact Us section on dnata’s website
Tui – holiday destinations
The travel giant has opened its summer 2020 recruitment early so Cook staff to register interest immediately. Tui is looking for around 60 different job roles across 115 destinations.
It has held 25 open days across six European destinations for ex-Cook staff. Details of vacancies in resort are on the Tui Group website.
For any junior and senior managers working in destinations, the Tui management team will share a link directly with the local Thomas Cook offices. More information on Tui’s Facebook page or email tuidx.recruitmentuk@tui.com
Kuoni
The luxury operator has various openings. Visit peoplehr.com/customers/kuoni/
Travelopia
The tour operator has vacancies in various locations. Visit its website at Travelopia.com, or email talent@travelopia.com #thomascook
Cosmos and Avalon Waterways
The operator said it was looking to fill contact team vacancies as it gears up for peaks. Contact head of HR, Gemma Garvey ggarvey@cosmos.co.uk
Travelsphere and Just You
Operator is recruiting for product executive; holiday advisors and a trade & partnership marketing manager in its Market Harborough office in Leicestershire. Upload CVs here
MSC Cruises
The cruise line has urged Thomas Cook staff to get in touch about vacancies available in the line’s UK office. Email Andrea.stafford@msccruises.co.uk
Hurtigruten
The cruise line is looking for three London office-based roles. Email anthony.daniels@hurtigruten.com
Aurora Expeditions
The expedition cruise line is looking for a business development manager to join its sales team in the UK. Send a cover letter, salary/package expectations and any other relevant information to karen@auroraexpeditions.co.uk
Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks
The direct-sell holiday park operator is keen to hear from Cook staff who might be interested in a number of full and part-time permanent vacancies. Visit its website and email linda.brothers@woolacombe.com
Ocean Holidays
The destination specialist tour operator is looking for agents with good US travel knowledge to work in its contact office in Romford, Essex. There are also homeworking roles available for Cook staff with at least three years’ experience selling tailor-made US packages.
In addition, Ocean Holidays is recruiting for sales team managers and a senior marketing executive to join the team. Email jobs@ocean-holidays.co.uk or call 0203 823 9823.
Scott Dunn
The luxury tour operator has vacancies in its London office and is recruiting staff to work in its ski chalets in Val d’Isere for the winter season. Visit jobs.scottdunn.com or email recruitment@scottdunn.com
National Holidays
The coach operator has product, contracting and ops roles available in its Leeds, Hull and Chesterfield offices. Visit nationalholidays.com/careers
Hotelplan
The overseas recruitment department for ski operators Inghams, Esprit, Ski Total, Santa’s Lapland and Flexiski has a range of vacancies for this winter. Visit workaseason.com
Olympic Holidays
The Mediterranean specialist is looking for a reservations consultant, a customer service advisor and a finance manager to work in its north London office. Email CVs to hr@olympicholidays.com
Classic Collection Holidays
The West Sussex based operator has vacancies at its head office. Visit classic-collection.co.uk
First Class Holidays
The operator is searching for an experienced tailor-made specialist and a part-qualified management accountant to join its Manchester team. More details here
Serenity Holidays
The tour operator is currently recruiting travel consultants, product executives and a PA for the managing director at its Hampshire office in Whiteley. Send your CV to recruitment@serenity.holidays.co.uk. Visit its website here for more information.
Jetset
The trade-only tour operator has full and part-time sales positions available in its contact centre in Enfield, north London. Full training will be given.
To apply send your CV to sales@jetsetflights.co.uk with a short covering note.
Elegant Resorts
The Chester-based luxury tour operator has some vacancies and homeworking opportunities for Thomas Cook Staff who have at least three years’ experience selling luxury holidays. Contact HR manager Sarah Sibeon sarah.sibeon@elegantresorts.co.uk or call 01244 897702. Vacancies are listed here elegantresorts.co.uk/careers
The Travel Corporation
The travel group which owns Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, AAT Kings and Uniworld, has worldwide career opportunities. Visit careers.uk.ttc.com
Long Travel and Completely Croatia
The travel firm, which runs two specialist tour operators, is looking for a travel specialist who has extensive knowledge of Croatia or Italy to work in its Birmingham office. Send a covering letter and CV to
Andy.smeed-curd@long-travel.co.uk
Carnival UK
P&O Cruises parent is encouraging Thomas Cook staff to apply for roles advertised on its website
Latin Routes
The Latin America specialist has two travel specialist vacancies in its Kingston-Upon-Thames office for candidates with experience of selling tailor-made, luxury long-haul travel. Click here for details and email sales manager Seema Kapur seema.kapur@latinroutes.co.uk
APT
The escorted tours specialist is seeking a customer support consultant to work at its head office in Amersham. Apply here
Alfa Leisureplex Group
Alfa Leisureplex Group encourages former Thomas Cook employees to check its careers page for news about vacancies and receive job alerts for future openings.
Equity School Travel
The school travel specialist has vacancies at its Brighton head office, which are detailed on its website here.
Explore
The escorted tour operator and adventure travel specialist is seeking two customer service consultants to work at its head office in Farnborough, Hampshire. Potential applicants can email hr@explore.co.uk
Audley Travel
The tailor-made specialist has several vacancies, including opportunities for travel sales specialists, at its offices in Witney, Oxfordshire, and Shepherd’s Bush, London. For details visit the careers site here.
Airlines and airports
Virgin Atlantic
The airline has set-up a specific recruitment path to support Thomas Cook cabin crew. Visit its dedicated Cook cabin crew page
Manchester Airport
The airport is part of a Greater Manchester Taskforce, established to support ex-Thomas Cook employees. For details click here
Tui Airways
The airline is recruiting cabin crew. Apply on its website here
Star Alliance
The Star Alliance has several vacancies at its headquarters in Frankfurt. Click here for details, and candidates can write to hr@staralliance.com
South African Airways
The South African carrier is looking for staff in its HR and marketing departments in London. Applicants can send their details and a CV via email to hrlondon@flysaa.com
Other
Travelzoo
Travelzoo has various vacancies and is encouraging Cook staff to get in touch.
Visit travelzoo.com/uk/jobs/
Icelolly.com
The travel deals site has vacancies in its Leeds head office and in London. Visit icelolly.com/jobs
HolidayTaxis
The holiday transfers specialist has a number of vacancies open and would like to hear from former Cook staff. Visit holidaytaxis.com/en/about-us/careers/
Progressive Travel Recruitment said it had ‘hundreds’ of job roles on its website
The Business Travel Association has launched a ‘jobs board’ on its website with employment opportunities across its network of travel industry members and partners, which include branch managers, product managers and account managers at businesses including Eurostar, Lufthansa and Marriott Hotels.
Elite Hotels
The hotel group has a range of vacancies including front of house, duty management and in sales. careersatelitehotels.co.uk
Youtravel.com
The B2B accommodation specialist has vacancies in both London and Dubai. Email hr@youtravel.com
Cruising Excursions
The shore excursion specialist is recruiting for a customer service executive, call centre sales team, call centre sales team leader and a trade sales executive.
The business is based in Cannock, Staffordshire. Email ryan@cruisingexcursions.com
Global City Cards
The transport and attraction tickets specialist is offering a member of Cook’s sales staff a job in its Basingstoke office, preferably someone with B2B experience and who speaks Spanish. Email manager@globalcitycards.com
Cycas Hospitality
The hotel management company has vacancies across the UK and mainland Europe including in guest service representatives, sales executives and revenue specialists. Visit cycashospitality.com to find out more.
James Villa Holidays
James Villa Holidays has vacancies in its Maidstone head office for a digital partnerships executive and commercial analyst. Email HR@awaze.co.uk for more details.
Big Bus Tours
Big Bus Tours is recruiting in the UK and Ireland. It is seeking a global sales manager (emerging markets), to be based in the UK. Click here for details.
It is also recruiting drivers and driver for its open-top, double-decker buses in Dublin. Email eddier@bigbustours.com for details.
Cruise & Maritime Voyages
The Essex-based cruise line has a range of roles on offer, including one for a part-time travel consultant in West Wickham, Kent. Click here for details.
Cold Fusion Chalets
The ski and snowboard holiday specialist is recruiting for the forthcoming winter season, which runs from the end of November until May. It is seeking chefs, chalet hosts and resort representatives in Chamonix and Morzine. For details email info@coldfusionchalets.co.uk or call Steve on 00 33 670560676 or Nicky on 00 33 643751234.
Help and advice
C&M Travel Recruitment has set up a dedicated email helpline, tcstaff@candm.co.uk, with advice and information for Thomas Cook staff.
Travel Trade Recruitment said it is able to advise former Cook staff. Email info@traveltraderecruitment.co.uk
MBM Travel Executives
The recruitment firm is encouraging Cook staff to check vacancies on its website
It also has a number of confidential vacancies, so if you can’t see a role matching your skill set please still get in contact by sending your CV to marie@mbmtravelexecutives.co.uk or calling 0203 5877087.
Jobs 4 Thomas Cook
Gareth Simpson has established a new website for ex-Thomas Cook staff called jobs4thomascook.com, which now lists 385 vacancies.
He hopes to hold a free event in Manchester on October 18-19 with the chance to meet recruitment agencies and employers, and to get advice about careers, job-hunting and training. Contact hello@jobs4thomascook.com for details.