In the run-up to the merger with Carlson Worldchoice, I was often asked about our intentions for the relationship with ARTAC.
For a long time we have been unable to say anything about the relationship because it had not been fully approved.
So it is something of a relief now that we do have the approval of the European Union and I can sit down with Chris Fife, Colin Heal and the team at ARTAC.
We are in the early stages of our discussions so I cannot talk about the details. I wouldn’t want to give too much away before the ARTAC conference in Jersey anyway, because I need something new to say.
But in general, we want to form a partnership with the members of ARTAC, a long-term partnership which is based on mutual benefit.
And we have a good foundation on which to build, as the Carlson/ARTAC alliance did bring benefits to the members of ARTAC – benefits which we want to cement and extend.
We have a tremendous opportunity to do so as the rebranding of the new Thomas Cook shops is now complete. The Worldchoice brand can stand for something different, playing on the many strengths of ARTAC members.
These include their ability and expertise in selling longhaul, cities and more specialist products, perhaps.
Thomas Cook can bring a lot to the party – not only products, but also expertise – in all commercial and strategic marketing activities and of course foreign exchange.
We are busy exploring how best to provide that expertise to members of ARTAC. And in return, we want sales!
But we know that we can only achieve extra sales by creating the right product and by making a relationship with Thomas Cook rewarding for the members of ARTAC.
In Sunworld, Sunset, Flying Colours and Thomas Cook Holidays we have great products as well as, of course, the full range of financial services and global traveller services that Thomas Cook can provide.
So what do we want from our relationship with ARTAC? Extra business from a mutually beneficial relationship between two great brands -Worldchoice and Thomas Cook.
Colin Heal will be giving his view of the future development of Worldchoice when he is interviewed at the ARTAC conference on Friday afternoon.
On Sunday, I will give an overview of the Thomas Cook travel strategy for the UK and outline my plans for the relationship with ARTAC and the Worldchoice brands. Travel Weekly editor Jeremy Skidmore will be interviewing me about those plans. I look forward to what should be an excellent conference.
Andrew Windsor is retail and direct managing director of Thomas Cook