Thomas Cook is wooing third-party travel agents with Sex and the City-themed parties as it unveils its summer 2011 range.
Although the operator has admitted it aims to sell up to 85% of its product inhouse, agents who attended the first party said Cook’s effort made them feel valued.
In total Cook will host more than 500 agents at three events. The first, in Manchester last week, was attended by 150 agents from The Co-operative Travel, Hays Travel and Travel Counsellors.
Agents sip cocktails at one of Thomas Cook’s Sex and the City-themed parties
Co-op agent Rebecca Poole said the event felt like a big thank you and she would welcome more similar occasions.
“Something on this scale is rare so it was great to be invited and it certainly strengthened my relationship with Thomas Cook.”
Richard Calvert, joint managing director of Thomas Cook tour operations, added: “Independent agents are really important to us.”
The second party was held in Birmingham on Wednesday, with the third in Newcastle next week.
The parties include a screening of Sex and the City 2