THOMAS Cook plans to revolutionise the way holidays are
booked with a new component travel company that will let the trade
cash in on the growing DIY package market.
Agents will be able to choose their own level of commission on
bookings through the new brand which claims to be “the only true
‘one search’ from ‘one place’ fully bonded
dynamic packaging facility”.
The brand, which has yet to be named, will cover three core
elements – flights, accommodation and transfers.
It will differ from competitors by offering impartial database
searches and will not include separate component prices, with the
booking displayed as one price.
Thomas Cook UK specialist businesses managing director Ian
Ailles said the launch would not impact on its own package
business, but would complement the group’s mass-market brand
offerings.
“This launch underpins our goal of continuing to meet the needs
of independent travellers. It will position Thomas Cook as a
leading component travel supplier,” he said.
It will formally launch with a website on November 30 and
business through agents is expected to account for 90% of
sales.
It will not actively market the product direct to consumers, but
will service customers who have “stumbled across” the site,
according to a spokeswoman.
The company will replace Culturatrips.com which Thomas Cook said
had exceeded all sales expectations, attracting customers in their
30s and 40s as well as the young independent travellers it
targeted.
The Cultura Trips name will be ditched at the end of the
month.
Cultura Trips was launched in 2002, carrying 7,500 passengers in
its first year before rebranding to Culturatrips.com last
November.
The new brand will concentrate on short-haul destinations
initially, but plans to eventually increase its long-haul
offering.
Thomas Cook added the new brand would not impact on
roomsandhotels.com as the latter applied purely to
accommodation-only bookings.
It will be fully bonded under Thomas Cook’s ATOL and ABTA
protection.