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MyTravel Group

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Original synthesis to sit alongside the encyclopedia article below. Not part of Wikipedia; verify facts on Wikipedia when precision matters.

MyTravel Group plc was a prominent UK-based travel company specializing in package holidays, airline operations, and related travel services. It operated under brands like Airtours and became a major player in the European travel market before merging with Thomas Cook in 2007.

Key moments

  • 1972Founded as part of the Airtours group, evolving into MyTravel Group over subsequent decades
  • 2007Merged with Thomas Cook AG to form Thomas Cook Group plc, creating one of Europe's largest travel companies
  • 2019Parent company Thomas Cook Group declared bankruptcy, leading to the cessation of MyTravel-related operations

MyTravel Group competed in the highly competitive European package holiday market against major players including:

  • Thomas Cook AG: Eventually merged with MyTravel in 2007 to create a combined entity with broader geographic reach and diversified service offerings
  • TUI Group: A key rival with strong presence in European and global travel markets, competing across package holidays, airlines, and hotel operations
  • First Choice Holidays: Competed in UK and European leisure travel, later acquired by TUI

The merger with Thomas Cook was driven by industry consolidation pressures, rising fuel costs, and changing consumer preferences towards online travel booking. Post-merger, the combined entity faced challenges from low-cost airlines and online travel agencies, contributing to its eventual collapse in 2019.

  • Key competitive advantage: Strong portfolio of regional travel brands and integrated airline operations
  • Industry challenge: Disruption from digital platforms shifting consumer booking behavior
  • Merger rationale: Achieve economies of scale and enhance market position against larger rivals like TUI

MyTravel Group plc was a British, global travel group headquartered in Rochdale, England. It was founded in 1972 as Airtours Group. The group included two in-house airlines, MyTravel Airways UK and MyTravel Airways Scandinavia, and various tour operators around the world. On 19 June 2007, the group merged with Thomas Cook AG to form the Thomas Cook Group plc.

The successor to MyTravel Group: Thomas Cook Group, entered Compulsory liquidation on 23 September 2019.

History

The group was founded under the Airtours brand in 1972, when David Crossland purchased a series of small travel agencies in Lancashire, United Kingdom.[2] The group began operating package holidays and launched its own in-house charter airline, in the early 1990's.[2] It offered their first charter flights to the Caribbean at that time for just £299.[3]

In 1993 Airtours purchased Aspro Holidays and their in-house airline Inter European Airways. The aircraft were merged into Airtours International Airways and repainted in their livery.[4]

In 1994, Airtours purchased Scandinavian Leisure Group and in 1996 it bought Simon Spies Holding, a Danish rival.[5]

In 2002, Airtours Group plc, rebranded under the new company-wide banner of MyTravel Group plc. This included a name change for Airtours International and Premiair to MyTravel Airways.[6]

In November 2003, MyTravel sold off its North America Cruise Division to NLG (National Leisure Group) of Woburn, Massachusetts.[7]

On 12 February 2007, MyTravel Group plc announced that they had agreed terms on a merger with Thomas Cook AG to form Thomas Cook Group plc.[8]

Operations

Tour Operators

Airlines

External links

MyTravel

References

  1. Corporate Responsibility text from the 2006 Annual Report MyTravel Group plc (archived), 2006, retrieved 9 November 2019^
  2. Journey's end for the king of the costas? The Guardian, 19 November 2000, retrieved 21 September 2019^
  3. Profile: Rise of the holiday maker: David Crossland will be in his Independent.co.uk, 7 March 1993, retrieved 27 November 2017^
  4. John Shepherd. Airtours sues former owners of Aspro – Business – News The Independent, 1994-03-01, retrieved 2013-10-24^
  5. £10m Danish buy takes Airtours to Finland The Independent, 16 February 1996, retrieved 21 September 2019^
  6. Airtours and Going Places pilot new My Travel brand The Drum, 6 March 2002, retrieved 21 September 2019^
  7. National Leisure Group Becomes Largest Cruise Seller with Acquisition of MyTravel's U.S. Cruise Brands Businesswire, 21 November 2003, retrieved 21 September 2019^
  8. MyTravel and Thomas Cook merging BBC News, 12 February 2007, retrieved 6 October 2013^
  9. Panorama Holiday Group Limited Companies House (HM Government), 9 November 2019, retrieved 9 November 2019^
  10. BCT Travel Group Limited Companies House (HM Government), 9 November 2019, retrieved 9 November 2019^
  11. Direct Holidays PLC Companies House (HM Government), 9 November 2019, retrieved 9 November 2019^
  12. Thomas Cook North America Sold to Red Label Vacations Travel Market Report, 21 March 2013, retrieved 9 November 2019^