Cosmos Tours is to continue using the Cosmos name despite Monarch Group’s decision to ditch the Cosmos brand.
The tours and cruises operator has not been part of the Monarch Group since November 1, 2014, and says it has no intention to phase out a brand with such “incredible heritage”.
The tours and cruises operator has tweaked its logo with the refreshed brand due to be rolled out on second-edition brochures in December.
It is retaining the brand because of its heritage and the fact it is well known and established wiithin the Globus family of brands in destinations including the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Managing director Alan MacLean said: “Our commitment to the British traveller and the UK travel industry spans over five decades and is at the core of everything we do.
“The Cosmos name has an incredible heritage not only with British travellers but on a worldwide basis. We are all excited about the future as we look at strengthening the brand and taking the business forward to enhance our customer proposition in all aspects of the service and products we offer.”
The Cosmos name dates back to 1961 in the UK when the business started as a coach operator to Europe from an office in south London.
Its association with the international Globus brand goes back to the 1920s when the current owner’s father started operating coach tours in Lugano, Switzerland.
The operator recently launched its first dedicated river and coastal cruises brochure for 2016 with three additional cruiseline partners; MSC Cruises, A-Rosa and CMV Signature River Cruises. It is reporting an overall increase in cruise sales of 25% year on year across all seasons for 2016.
Its tours programme has increased significantly in Croatia for 2016-2017, while it has introduced a tour of Romania and added a new tour of the Balkans, while re-introducing Kentucky.
Cosmos Tours & Cruises is based in Bromley and includes other brands Avalon Waterways and Archers Holidays. Its former parent company Monarch was rescued from collapse last year when it was acquired by investment firm Greybull Capital.