Thomson “to ditch 300 reps"

Thomson is reportedly to lay off some 300 reps covering Spanish resorts, and replacing them with 100 “super-reps”, who will cover much larger areas. According to the Daily Mail, Cosmos also has plans to make 150 reps – a third of its total – redundant. The newspaper suggests that the reasoning behind the move lies with the fact that many families are already familiar with particular resorts and need less help to get on with the business of enjoying themselves. The newspaper also states that the move is “further evidence that the package holiday enjoyed by families since the 1960s is effectively being dismantled”. Thomson’s plans reportedly relate to resorts including Torremolinos, Benidorm, and certain parts of Majorca, and will affect some 30 to 40 per cent of customers. However, First Choice has claimed that the move is less than sensible; overseas director Steve Harker is quoted as saying: “Stripping out large numbers of staff could prove disastrous if there are airport strikes or long delays.” Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd