Everyone's Talking About... The collapse of Thomas Cook

“ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS IN THE INDUSTRY, I AM EXTREMELY SADDENED BY THE NEWS ABOUT THE DEMISE OF THOMAS COOK. IT IS ONE OF THE UK'S MOST ICONIC TRAVEL BRANDS AND THOUSANDS OF STAFF ARE FACING LOSING THIER JOBS"

Mark Tanzer, CEO, ABTA

“The task [of getting customers home] is enormous – it is the biggest peacetime repatriation in UK history” Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport

“THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY IS A VOLATILE BUSINESS AT THE MERCY OF EXTERNAL FORCES – ECONOMIC, POLITICAL, GEOGRAPHIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL. THE STAFF, THE CUSTOMERS AND A VERY EXTENSIVE SUPPLY CHAIN WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE DEMISE OF THOMAS COOK” Professor Jackie Watson, University of Surrey

There is huge knowledge and expertise among ex-thomas Cook staff. It is important to the industry that this is not lost and that these people have the chance to continue building their careers” Clive Wratten, Chief Executive, BTA

“WHILE BREXIT HAS BEEN IMPACTING AIRLINES AND OPERATORS, IT CANNOT BE BLAMED FOR THE DEMISE OF THOMAS COOK – THE GROUP WAS IN FINANCIAL Dr Sarah

Rawlinson, University DIFFICULTIES BEFORE BREXIT WAS ANNOUNCED” of Derby

“Our aviation industry offers consumers choice and value - it is an open and competitive marketplace. Sadly, that means on occasion companies will be forced to withdraw. It is important that we minimise the fall-out for consumer confidence as a result of this situation”

Andrea Leadsom, Secretary of State for Business