THOMAS Cook has
issued a gagging order to stop staff making derogatory remarks about MyTravel.
The message to
support its troubled rival comes as speculation looms about further black holes
in MyTravel’s finances and rumours it has been put on suppliers’ credit watch
lists.
A leaked Thomas
Cook memo, sent to shops by tour operations commercial director Mike Beaumont,
told staff not to denigrate MyTravel.
It said agents
should take bookings requested for MyTravel, claiming its relationship with the
group had “completely stabilised” following this summer’s row over advertising.
The letter
directly follows Travel Weekly’s mystery shop last week, in which Thomas Cook
staff told us MyTravel was “in a bit of trouble”.
Beaumont said: “We
wanted staff to be clear on our position. We have an ongoing commercial
relationship with MyTravel. We are financially comfortable with the situation.”
ABTA also moved to
reassure customers after calls from Independent Options development director
Sue Foxall. Telephone and website messages stress MyTravel is fully protected.
MyTravel chief
executive UK and Ireland Duncan Wilson welcomed the support. He said: “Some of
our competitors have been as subtle as a brick. Some have been more neutral but
given me and my colleagues encouragement. Others have been extremely
supportive.”
Meanwhile, former
Airtours managing director Harry Coe and ex-group company secretary David Burns
are said to be leading a bid to buy Cresta, Bridge, Leger, and the Scandinavian
businesses backed by venture capitalists. Coe refused to comment.