Thomas Cook was until now the second largest tour operator, the oldest and the creators of the all-inclusive pack. With more than 19 million customers in 16 countries and 21,000 employees, it has announced its bankruptcy and has trapped 600,000 tourists who were currently on vacation.

How many people are affected by bankruptcy? Although there are currently 600,000 tourists worldwide whose trip was managed by Thomas Cook, the impact is greater, as the group had 19 million customers in 16 countries. In Spain, for example, it sends about seven million people a year through its three airlines. This is joined by the 21,000 workers (2,500 in Spain) who are unemployed. Which are the most affected countries? There are the countries that emit tourists and the recipients, where travelers are trapped. With respect to the former, the United Kingdom has 150,000 citizens in their respective holiday destinations and has already coordinated the repatriation device, which is the largest since World War II. The French subsidiary of the group has also confirmed that there are about 10,000 French in their respective destinations and Germany, 140,000. Spain and Greece are two of the countries most affected. In the Canary Islands alone there are 30,000, in the Balearic Islands there are 2,400 and the Greek Government has confirmed that there are another 50,000 tourists trapped in the country, especially in the islands. How is the repatriation of those affected being managed? The United Kingdom has even baptized its device : Operation Matterhon, which is also called the American bombing of Japan from China in 1944. It will be the largest repatriation of Britons (150,000) since World War II. London will charter airplanes to take home trapped tourists and small groups will try to get them on commercial flights.The German Government sent the possible insurance in Germany to the mandatory insurance covering tour operators in case of insolvency and thus ruled out a repatriation similar to London, and those who were going to travel? Flights and packages have been canceled. Civil Aviation in the United Kingdom has warned users that they had hired a package and that they were going to fly today that they don't go to the airports because they won't be able to fly. In Spain, 24 flights have been canceled this Monday in the Balearic Islands and 11 in the Canary Islands. What about the hotels? Who pays them? The British Government is contacting the hotels of the affected tourists to ensure that it will pay the cost of the accommodations. As explained by the association of consumers and users (OCU), European regulations include the rights of consumers in case of bankruptcy and guarantees the repatriation of users. According to the organization, users who had their flight hired will be refunded but will not be entitled to compensation in case of cancellation (ranging from 250 euros to 600). What impact will it have on the sector? It will be important, especially in countries that receive tourists, sun and beach destinations such as Spain, Greece or Tunisia. Thomas Cook airlines bring seven million tourists a year to Spain, according to data provided by Aena (the group says it brings four million to our country). These trips remain in the air. In the case of Greece, right now there are 50,000 tourists trapped on their islands and Tunisia has warned that the bankruptcy of the tour operator can mean that the country receives between 600,000 and 700,000 fewer tourists per year.

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  • Spain
  • Thomas Cook
  • United Kingdom
  • Greece
  • Canary Islands
  • Balearics
  • WWII
  • Tunisia
  • London
  • Japan
  • China
  • Germany

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