London 2012 announces Thomas Cook as Official Supporter

- Thomas Cook becomes Tier 2 Supporter and LOCOG’s 23rd domestic sponsor; - Appointment is part of LOCOG’s ‘affordable and accessible’ ticketing strategy The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) today continued the development of its ticketing strategy by announcing Thomas Cook as an Official Supporter in a Tier 2 sponsorship deal, providing UK short breaks and trips to the Games in 2012.

Thomas Cook will provide a range of short break packages that will include accommodation, transport and event tickets for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Thomas Cook’s appointment will ensure that sports fans and families across the UK have access to a wide range of ticket and accommodation packages.

Sebastian Coe commented, “Our ticketing strategy is based on the principles of affordability and accessibility – we want to fill our stadiums in the summer of 2012 with sports fans and make it as easy as possible for families to travel to the Games.

“Our deal with Thomas Cook will do just that – offering ticket and accommodation packages. Thomas Cook is the perfect partner for us and will help us deliver our promise to make sure as many people as possible can see the action in 2012, no matter where they live“.

Tickets and packages for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will go on sale in 2011. It is estimated that more than a quarter of a million tickets will be sold by Thomas Cook with short break and accommodation packages within the UK.

Manny Fontenla-Novoa, Group Chief Executive Officer for Thomas Cook Group plc said,
”More than a century after Thomas Cook escorted British travellers to the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, it is a privilege to once again have the chance to give British families and sports fans the opportunity to experience such a rare and special event in their own country.

“As a company we are incredibly proud that Thomas Cook will be a leading brand in this most prestigious global event. The Olympic and Paralympic Games in the UK is such a rare and fantastic opportunity and will further enforce our position as the UK’s oldest and most trusted name in travel.”

To launch Thomas Cook’s support of the London 2012 Games, registration has been opened for those wishing to keep up to date on Thomas Cook packages to the London 2012 Games. Everyone registering before 20th December this year (20-12) at a Thomas Cook store, or online at www.thomascook.com, will be entered into a draw for an exclusive family weekend in London including a tour of the Olympic Park. Packages will go on sale in 2011.

The appointment of Thomas Cook completes LOCOG’s team of ticketing, short break and hospitality sponsors and suppliers.


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For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100 or visit the website. Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog
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Thomas Cook press contact +44 (0) 1733 417272, Pressoffice@thomascook.com

Notes to Editors:

As it heads towards its £2bn budget for staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games, LOCOG has six domestic Tier One Partners - adidas, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. There are now six domestic Tier Two Supporters – Adecco, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte, Thomas Cook and UPS. There are eleven domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers – Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, Crystal CG, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, Holiday Inn, McCann Worldgroup, The Nielsen Company, Populous, Ticketmaster and Trident.

The Worldwide Olympic Partners signed up for London 2012 are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos Origin, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung and Visa.

About Thomas Cook

Thomas Cook UK & Ireland is the second largest leisure travel group in the UK with around 19,000 employees. The company operates has a network of more than 800 high street stores (Thomas Cook and Going Places), leading websites (www.thomascook.com and www.airtours.co.uk), its own television channel Thomas Cook TV (Sky channel 655) and some of the world's favourite travel brands.

Thomas Cook UK & Ireland is part of Thomas Cook Group plc (www.thomascookgroup.com).