United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Thomas Cook’s oldest agent retires today
Thomas Cook agent Barbara McCracken, aged 76, is retiring today after nearly 40 years with the company and 58 years in the industry.
McCracken, who works at the Gordon Street store in Glasgow, began her travel career in 1956 at the age of 18 with travel agency J.H. Lewis in West Regent Street, Glasgow, where she completed her training.
Although she is Thomas Cook’s oldest employee, she is not the longest serving.
Marion Goulding, 74, retired in September of last year after 54 years with the group.
Marking today’s retirement, McCracken received a surprise call from CEO Harriet Green and then received a "beautiful bouquet of flowers".
The Glasgow store also held drinks with customers and a dinner with her colleagues and travel suppliers.
"I can’t imagine not being part of Thomas Cook, as it’s been my life. However, I am now looking forward to having some ‘me’ time.
"The last 40 years has been an amazing time for me in travel and I have enjoyed every minute. I wish my colleagues in Thomas Cook and Gordon Street the very best for the future – they won’t be seeing the last of me, as I will be popping in regularly for coffee!"
Her manager Christine Coles said: "Barbara is unique, and has given her life to her customers ensuring she sends them on holidays of a lifetime.
"It’s now Barbara’s time to have a long holiday, and the team and I wish her a happy and enjoyable retirement. Barbara is one incredible lady and loved by everyone; she deserves this special time and recognition for all that she has given to the travel industry."
She has two sons with whom she is looking forward to spending a lot more time during her retirement; one living near her in Hamilton, and the other recently relocating from Switzerland to Boston.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled