Hundreds of travel professionals have rallied behind Thomas Cook after the venerable operator was told to go out and find £200 million to save the business.
Cook acknowledged the request from its core lenders on Friday morning (20 September) for additional financial headroom, confirming recent national media reports.
Bruce Martin, owner of the Travel Gossip Facebook page, made an impassioned plea on Thursday evening (19 September) for members to be respectful of Cook’s employees.
“Gossipers – please be mindful there are hundreds of Thomas Cook staff in Travel Gossip,” he said. “Please comment respectfully. Good luck TC guys.”
More than 800 people had acknowledged the post by Friday morning, with hundreds commenting in support of Cook – many posting the operator’s iconic yellow heart logo.
Isla Stenning MacCallum told TTG: “Hope they can secure it. To let an institution go like that would be outrageous.”
Nicola Graham added: “We’re all rooting for you, Thomas Cook.”
Cook confirmed on Friday morning the request for the additional £200 million, adding talks were ongoing over the “final terms” of a proposed recapitalisation and reorganisation of the business.
The operator remains locked in talks with its largest shareholder, Fosun, its core lending banks and noteholders over a deal worth in the region of £900 million.