Thomas Cook has shut its dedicated cruise agency in Chester, claiming its traditional high street stores are capable of selling specialist sectors.
The Cruise Store branch opened in December 2006 as part of MyTravel’s shop network and offered brochure racks dedicated to individual cruiselines and a team of six specialist agents.
Thomas Cook director of commercial relations Marc Bennett said the branch was closed last month and staff were transferred to another agency owned by the group in the town.
He said staff across its shops should be able to sell cruise just as efficiently.
“We have worked hard to have expertise among our shop staff and you can find someone in every shop with genuine cruise expertise,” he said.
Bennett said dedicated stores made assumptions about what holidaymakers want to book. “Our shops will sell traditional package holidays and cruises.”