Thomas Cook buoyed by euro exchange rate

Thomas Cook’s bookings to Greece have held up despite the eurozone crisis and could soar if the country leaves the euro, reports The Sunday Express.

It quoted Pete Constanti, chief executive of destination management for Thomas Cook, who said: ‘Greece continues to be an important destination for us and great value for our holidaymakers.

‘In the run-up to the recent elections we worked closely with our suppliers and, of course, continue to monitor the situation in Athens.

‘Currently capacity is broadly in line with our historic numbers. Holidaymakers are focusing on the positives such as the fantastic value in Greece and other euro destinations because of the strength of the pound.’

The paper said that the euro is at a three-year low against sterling, so holidaymakers can enjoy 10% more when changing money than this time last year.

Thomas Cook’s top destinations this summer are Spain, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus and Tunisia. The latter has recovered from the Arab Spring, with bookings already back to 2010 levels, added the Express.

Constanti told the paper: ‘Bookings to Egypt are improving and we’re hopeful these will return to previous levels once the political situation stabilises further.’

Meanwhile, The Sunday Times said the ‘race is on’ to snap up the last remaining bargains in Greece, as bookings surged after the election result reassured holidaymakers.

The Times said Greece specialist Sunvil Holidays took a record 120 bookings in a single day.

Also, the newspaper said costs in resorts could soon fall as the Greek government is expected to cut VAT on tourist services from 23% to 5% before the end of the month.

Elsewhere, hotel prices in Spanish towns and cities are ‘collapsing’ with four-star rooms reduced to as little as £30 a night, said the Times.

It quoted Ted Wake of Kirker Holidays, who said hotels which have depended on rich Spaniards coming from Madrid and the north are now not seeing those clients, as they cannot afford to travel, so rates are being slashed.

To see the Express report on Thomas Cook and Greece, click here.