Thomas Cook has launched a trade-only accommodation website featuring thousands of properties priced per night.
The site, thomascookhotels.com, will feature properties from the main Thomas Cook charter brands, with Thomas Cook acting as the principal on all bookings. MyTravel charter brands are also being integrated into the site.
It will include two-star to five-star accommodation in mass market beach destinations such as the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Egypt.
Head of sales and distribution for Thomas Cook’s independent travel division Stephen Vaughan said the move would allow agents direct access to the company’s bedstock.
He added: “We do recognise agents want to package dynamically which is why we price ‘per night’ to allow any duration that customers request.”
The travel giant will also provide an XML accommodation feed from its system into travel agents’ internal tour operating systems in what it claims is a first for a major UK tour operator.
This will allow agents to sell Thomas Cook’s properties as accommodation-only or as part of a package through their own branded selling systems. It remains the principal for these bookings.
The company has already agreed to supply the feed to agency partners such as The Co-operative Travel Trading Group, Hays Travel and Barrhead Travel.