Thomas Cook is to spend millions of pounds installing multi-media and Internet facilities across its 750 high-street shops by autumn next year.
Managing director retail and direct Andrew Windsor said the multiple is currently tendering for the installation of an Internet protocol network which will allow consultants to show multi-media holiday videos to customers and access the Web.
“We believe we need to make the in-store experience entertaining and exciting for our customers,” said Windsor.
“The project is a big investment in terms of time and resources.”
Viewdata is expected to be replaced with direct connections to Thomas Cooks’ tour operator suppliers.
“Viewdata is out of date – the world has moved on,” he added.
Thomas Cook consultants will also be able to e-mail customers with holiday quotes.
Windsor said: “Customers can then e-mail the booking back or phone one of our call centres. It’s all about giving customers the choice.”
Thomas Cook is also in talks with a number of the digital television suppliers over possible deals.
“TV Travel Shop has shown that TV is an effective means of distributing travel products,” he added.
Meanwhile Windsor predicted a slow start to the traditional post-Christmas booking period.
“I think the millennium will have an impact and I don’t think things will really pick up in the market until the second, third or fourth week of January,” he said.
n Thomas Cook is opening two new holiday superstores in Leeds and Liverpool.
Scheduled to open next month in time for the peak holiday-booking period, the Thomas Cook Plus stores join the first three in Oldbury, West Midlands and Manchester which were launched in July.
Thomas Cook is also rebranding the former Carlson Worldchoice Hypermarket in Paisley by the end of the year.
The multiple is keen on further development and Windsor added that further sites are being investigated.
The 10,000sq ft locations have 18 sales positions and feature a children’s play area, giant brochure stands and four interactive Holiday Finder screens which have access to the multiple’s Internet site.