The fifth Thomas Cook Concept Store has opened at Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex in time for a new retail training scheme.
The outlet is the first to carry the company’s Sunny Heart branding and follows the opening of similar stores in Leeds, Stockton-on-Tees, Edinburgh and Bristol.
The ‘next-generation’ agency claims to ‘showcase what the travel agent of tomorrow looks like today’.
Cook retail director Joanna Wild said: “Retail is such an important part of Thomas Cook’s omni-channel approach.
“We know how precious an annual holiday is and our concept stores both inspire and make the holiday purchase as enjoyable and efficient as possible for our customers.”
The opened came as Cook unveiled training programme with 6,000 retail staff from across its network attending specially designed sessions at the company’s Peterborough office.
Every agent will be taken through an interactive and fast-paced three-hour session focusing on customer service, product knowledge and new technologies.
Wild said: “ Research indicates that 46% of holidaymakers want to deal ‘face-to-face’ with an expert before they book, so it’s more vital than ever that we provide our agents with the tools to offer the very best holiday experiences to each and every one of our customers.“
Customers at the new shop can make their own travel arrangements using technology combined with the personal touch and expertise expected from the more traditional travel agent.
Greeted at an Advice Bar before being guided to the most appropriate store area for their requirements, customers can choose their holiday using video content streamed throughout the store, viewing brochures online or complete their own booking using an in-store tablet device.
A separate area for group bookings has a large touch-screen and internet access that allows everyone in the party to participate in the booking process.
A VIP lounge is available for private consultations for special holidays such as weddings and honeymoons.
Brochure racks are still used at the front of the store, but have been streamlined and are more discreet than those expected in the traditional travel agency. This is in keeping with the store’s minimalistic look and feel, according to Cook.