Thomas Cook in dynamic launch

THOMAS Cook plans to revolutionise the way holidays are booked with a new component travel company that will let the trade cash in on the growing DIY package market.

Agents will be able to choose their own level of commission on bookings through the new brand which claims to be “the only true ‘one search’ from ‘one place’ fully bonded dynamic packaging facility”.

The brand, which has yet to be named, will cover three core elements – flights, accommodation and transfers.

It will differ from competitors by offering impartial database searches and will not include separate component prices, with the booking displayed as one price.

Thomas Cook UK specialist businesses managing director Ian Ailles said the launch would not impact on its own package business, but would complement the group’s mass-market brand offerings.

“This launch underpins our goal of continuing to meet the needs of independent travellers. It will position Thomas Cook as a leading component travel supplier,” he said.

It will formally launch with a website on November 30 and business through agents is expected to account for 90% of sales.

It will not actively market the product direct to consumers, but will service customers who have “stumbled across” the site, according to a spokeswoman.

The company will replace Culturatrips.com which Thomas Cook said had exceeded all sales expectations, attracting customers in their 30s and 40s as well as the young independent travellers it targeted.

The Cultura Trips name will be ditched at the end of  the month.

Cultura Trips was launched in 2002, carrying 7,500 passengers in its first year before rebranding to Culturatrips.com last November.

The new brand will concentrate on short-haul destinations initially, but plans to eventually increase its long-haul offering.

Thomas Cook added the new brand would not impact on roomsandhotels.com as the latter applied purely to accommodation-only bookings.

It will be fully bonded under Thomas Cook’s ATOL and ABTA protection.