5 HOT STORIES NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK


This week’s top stories: 1. Group ‘must respond’ 2. Cook addresses trade 3. Election sales fallout 4. Princess to ditch CCS 5. Minister backs VAT cut


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Christianne and Robert Shepherd, who died in 2006


Cook must show compassion, say agents, amid backlash fears


Juliet Dennis


Thomas Cook has a responsibility to the trade to respond diligently and compassionately to the Corfu tragedy, leading figures said this week. As fears grew of a backlash affecting the whole industry, the trade called on Cook to show it has a “heart and soul” and bring out positive messages. Robert and Christianne Shepherd


died from carbon monoxide poisoning while on holiday at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel in 2006. Last week, an inquest found they had been unlawfully killed owing to an incorrectly maintained gas boiler. Advantage Travel Partnership managing director Julia Lo Bue-Said said: “We all understand the legal process but, as a business professional and a parent, I would like to see Thomas Cook comment compassionately on the human element of what has happened. “While Thomas Cook is in the limelight, it has responsibility to the whole industry. It needs to react in a diligent manner now. The reality is agents are having to deal with customer


4 • travelweekly.co.uk — 21 May 2015


concerns on the frontline: Thomas Cook has a responsibility to guide us all.” Lo Bue-Said did not envisage an


impact on bookings but warned of the risks of ignoring the “strength of social media and public outcry”. More than 3,000 people had endorsed


a ‘Boycott Thomas Cook’ Facebook page early this week. Willie Stewart, director of Stewart


Travel Group, said it was imperative Cook acted now. “Thomas Cook needs to take positive action to limit the damage,” he said. “The company has been a bit faceless and the top man should offer himself for interviews. Cook can still recover, if it comes out with a sensible and strong message.” Gemma Antrobus, managing director of Haslemere Travel, added: “This could have a long-term impact with such a huge brand. There is something to be said for having a little heart and soul.” Former Cook managing director John McEwan said: “It has taken a long time for Thomas Cook to say sorry and even that didn’t have a great deal of warmth.” ❯ Analysis, page 10


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