Thomas Cook Launch Canadian Network

Thomas Cook Launch Canadian Network

Thomas Cook North America and Advantage Travel & Cruise Centres have teamed up to start a new tour operator chain across Canada.

A dual franchise supported by a network of affiliates, the arrangement will give partners “the ability to access the Thomas Cook brand, and with that its global expertise and strength”.

The Thomas Cook team will be joined by Les Cassettari, Advantage Travel president, Doreen Lynch, executive vice-president, and Jill Dickie, director of operations, who will come on board to help manage the network.

The agreement gives Canadian travel agents, beginning with Advantage Travel Affiliates, the opportunity to be part of one of the oldest and best-recognised travel brands in both Canada and the world.

Benefits of association with the Thomas Cook brand include the strength of having over 3,500 locations available globally. In addition, the Branded programme will allow travel agents to use the Thomas Cook name in conjunction with their own strong, local brands.

Michael Friisdahl, chief executive officer of Thomas Cook North America said: “For agents that sign up for our new Branded program, it is the best of both worlds. They not only benefit from the tremendous global strength of the Thomas Cook name, they can continue to leverage the strength of their own brands in their local markets.”

The affiliate programme available at a lower cost does not provide access to the Thomas Cook name. It does, however, provide a variety of other benefits, including access to Thomas Cook Travel Insurance and foreign exchange services, and a very strong supplier relations program amongst other things.