PETERRothwell, chief executive of Airtours UK Leisure Group, is to attend the Thomas Cook conference in Sun City, South Africa, next month.
It is believed to be the first time that such a senior Airtours executive has attended the annual event.
Industry sources said the move signalled a closer working relationship between the two companies.
“When Lunn Poly stops selling you then you have to look to other retailers to sell your product,” said the source.
But a Thomas Cook spokeswoman said there was no significance in his attendance. “It is simply because Airtours is sponsoring an event at the conference, and he is coming along to oversee that,” she said.
The event takes place between May 6 and 9.