Thomas Cook has signed a new four -year deal with Chelsea Football Club.
Speaking at a press conference at Stamford Bridge this morning, Thomas Cook Group chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa said the deal, which will see Thomas Cook remain as the official travel partner, will “cement our position as the leading provider of sports travel.”
The deal extends the original one signed in summer 2006 in which Thomas Cook is responsible for all team and officials travel, corporate travel and supporter travel both overseas and in the UK.
Fontenla-Novoa said it was important for the company to be associated with strong sports brands such as Chelsea. The company has also recently signed a deal to be official partner for the Lions Tour.
He also confirmed he would be attending a meeting with transport secretary Geoff Hoon in which he would be reiterating the concerns of the trade regarding the present ATOL system. TUI chief Peter Long is set to have a meeting with the minister this Thursday (December 4).
He said: “We are trying to tell government they are wrong. You are not looking after the interests of the British consumer.
“The government are not making informed decisions.”
Thomas Cook is due to release its year end results to 30 September tommorrow morning.