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Thomas Cook ‘planning to sell Club 18-30’
Thomas Cook is looking at the possibility of selling off its iconic Club 18-30 brand after summer 2018.
The operator said it is ‘committed’ to the summer 2018 season, but is ‘exploring options’ for the brand after that.
Reports in the national press say young people are shunning ‘raunchy, booze-filled breaks’ and instead are now planning holidays to more Instagrammable destinations.
A report published by Thomas Cook earlier this month among 18-25s found many now prefer ‘ego’ travel – trips that let them post images to make friends envious – rather than pictures of drunken debauchery..
The survey found over half of respondents think about what their Facebook posts will look like before booking a holiday.
At its peak, Thomas Cook sent around 100,000 people abroad every year on Club 18-30 breaks.
Thomas Cook has owned Club 18-30 since 1998, although the brand began in 1965, when 580 youngsters were taken to the Costa Brava.
By 2001, it had its own TV show, Club Reps, on ITV.
The Sun said: "The change could spell the end of the sex-and-booze trips to resorts such as Malia and Ayia Napa."
Thomas Cook said: "We remain committed to Club 18-30 for summer 2018. However, we are exploring options for the future of the brand, which could include the possibility of a sale."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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