The German Thomas Cook wants to get back into business as soon as possible after their bankruptcy. The second largest German travel company to date had fallen into the maelstrom of bankruptcy of the British parent company and had to cancel all trips until the end of the year in the course of its bankruptcy. Thomas Cook is now planning to be operational again from 1 December and to be able to offer travel from the beginning of 2020.
Industry insiders say that will not be easy - other tour operators have already begun to expand their capacity. "I think it is very unlikely that the German Thomas Cook returns to its old strength," says Torsten Kirstges, professor of tourism at the Jade University in Wilhelmshafen. "The travel agencies damaged by the bankruptcy will be courted by the other organizers." Insecure customers will reorient themselves. "
The largest German tour operator TUI is hoping for 500,000 new customers in the coming year. In countries such as Turkey and Greece, in the Balearic Islands and the Canaries, new contracts with hotels were concluded, TUI said. In addition, the world's largest tourism group wants to offer more flights from Germany.
Read here: How important is the security certificate for a package holiday
Schauinsland Reisen also claims to have contracted additional hotels. Competitor Alltours has already secured a large part of the hotel and bed contingents of the German Cook subsidiaries Neckermann Reisen, Öger Tours, Bucher Travel and Air Marin.
Thomas Cook wants to restart with the help of Neckermann
Package vacationers from Thomas Cook can not start until December 31st. This also applies if they have already paid, because the execution of the trip can not be guaranteed. For additional trouble ensures that sufferers can not count on a full refund of their money. The sum insured of a total of 110 million euros will not be sufficient according to the insurer Zurich Germany.
The German Thomas Cook is currently bidding for state support and has applied to the German government and the state of Hesse for a bridge loan of 375 million euros. In order to maintain this, the company also needs a survival scenario - that's what Neckermann brought into play. The management hopes that a reboot will succeed under the traditional brand.
"Even if it is possible to resume business operations in early December, this should be done on a very small scale," says tourism expert Kirstges. Particularly affected by the bankruptcy are partners of the German Thomas Cook in the tourist resorts such as hotels, tour guides or bus companies - they fear loss of millions, some fear for their existence.
