7°South Ltd clarifies its stance on Thomas Cook |25 September 2019

• STB says not ready yet to comment

It has been highlighted in international news that negotiations on a plan to recapitalise Thomas Cook, the world’s oldest tour operator, have not been successful.

An application made to the UK High Court for the compulsory liquidation of the company has been granted and an Official Receiver will now be appointed as the liquidator of the company.

The Continental and Nordic companies of the Thomas Cook Group represented in Seychelles by 7°South Ltd are not part of these insolvency proceedings. Nevertheless, the German Thomas Cook GmbH has switched to emergency management as a precaution. The company is working intensively for a solution in Germany and are currently exploring options.

“Since November 1, 2016, when our two companies signed an agreement, Thomas Cook Germany has proved to be a reliable partner and has contributed significantly to the tourism industry of Seychelles.

“We will support Thomas Cook GmbH in Germany in these difficult times. We will continue to provide services to our guests from Thomas Cook GmbH Germany, while closely monitoring the unfolding situation,” 7°South Ltd. has said in a communique.

7°South has also clarified that the general sales agents in Seychelles for Condor, another subsidiary of Thomas Cook, is Mason’s Travel and not 7°South, contrary to a statement made in the SBC evening news of September 23, 2019.

Meanwhile in a separate communiqué, the Seychelles Tourism Board says it has learned about Thomas Cook ceasing trading but that STB has not received any official communication from Thomas Cook or its partner Condor – subsidiary Thomas Cook Group – as to the eventual repercussions on the Seychelles market.

The STB communiqué says the chief executive, Sherin Francis, will be making a declaration to the press later following consultations with the concerned parties. This will include gathering of supplementary information and conducting a comprehensive analysis of the present situation affecting Thomas Cook vis-à-vis Seychelles’ destinations.