Thomas Cook, the UK's leading travel company, has chosen Malta to host its annual conference - the most prestigious event in the company's calendar.
With Malta facing strong competition from the popular holiday destinations of Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia and Spain, Thomas Cook made its final decision based on the high standard of accommodation and facilities; the established tourism infrastructure, convenience of location and the enthusiasm and professionalism demonstrated by everyone involved in the negotiation process.
Talks between Dr Francis Zammit Dimech, Tourism and Culture Minister and Thomas Cook began at London's World Travel Market in November 2005, gaining momentum when the company's conference organisers conducted their first recce back in May of this year.
Thomas Cook is one of the UK's favourite travel companies and delivers the highest level of customer service out of the top four operators (Thomas Cook, Thomson, First Choice and MyTravel). Established in 1841, it is also the oldest and most recognised travel brand in the world and continues to lead the way in the UK travel market, receiving more than 40 high profile industry awards last year .
December's event will see up to 2000 senior management and customer-facing staff from across Thomas Cook's retail travel agencies, call centres, airline, tour operators and head office converge on the island for the two, three-night events that will follow on from each other (2-5 December and 5-8 December 2006).
“The Thomas Cook conference is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Malta to some of the most influential members of the UK travel industry. Securing this deal ahead of such strong competition is a credit to everyone involved at the MTA and is also thanks to the high level of support we have received from local hoteliers and service providers,” said Dr Zammit Dimech.
“The timing of the conference is ideal as the UK's peak booking period for winter and summer sun holidays is January and February, so this is the perfect opportunity to impress those delegates who are in a position to influence sales on their return to the UK. The majority of delegates may never have visited Malta, at least not in recent years, so we are keen to showcase Malta as the beautiful, friendly and diverse destination it is.”
In addition to the positive effect the conference will have on future leisure travel business to the island, the event wholly supports the MTA's strategy to promote Malta as one of Europe's leading destinations for conferences and events.
The Thomas Cook party will also include up to 100 representatives from it's key UK suppliers including American Express, Avis, AXA Insurance, and many cruise companies, tour operators and airlines, so this is an important audience for our ongoing conference and events promotional activity.
Thomas Cook's conference organiser, Vicki Burwell said: “I've been incredibly impressed by everyone I've met and all I've seen of Malta. This is the fifth project of its kind that I've led and the overwhelming willingless and enthusiasm of all involved to ensure that we deliver not only a successful, but memorable, event has been second to none.
“Being unfamiliar with the island and what it had to offer before my first visit in May I have been very pleasantly surprised. Everyone at Thomas Cook is very much looking forward to the event and I have every confidence that, with the support of the MTA and other local businesses, the 2006 Thomas Cook conference will be the best yet, benefiting both Thomas Cook and Malta in the future.”