Originally Posted by
LiamNCL
Did the shops really sink Thomas Cook (shops only selling TCX package holidays) or was it part of a failing business deemed not needed under so much debt ? Good luck to Hays , Local North East company who must see past the internet to take this journey on.
I don’t think it was really the shops that sunk Thomas Cook, it was the amount of debt (specifically buying Airtours for £1.3b) was the major issue. The shops probably didn’t materially help, but they weren’t the cause.
Referring to TUI and Jet2 reducing commissions, both discount online with TUI not being able to be matched by an agent against the online price. Jet2 also give an online discount and if the agent matches it, they make about 4%. With easyJet Holidays going to be sold through agents, plus agents now being able to book On The Beach (albeit in different branding), I dont see why it should be a problem. Most independents wont book TUI as a first choice anyway now.
It is a massive gamble, but they have done this in the past on a smaller scale buying Bath Travel which by all means was successful.