Thomas Cook enters Russian market

Thomas Cook broke into the fast-growing Russian market on Thursday by unveiling a joint venture with one of the country’s oldest travel agencies.

The partnership with VAO Intourist will look to tap into the country’s strong demand for beach and family holidays, particularly to Turkey and Egypt.

More than six million Russians went on overseas, packaged holidays last year and the market is expected to grow by a double-digit percentage in the coming years, given the increasing wealth of Russia’s 142 million population.

The venture will utilise Thomas Cook’s scale in accommodation and purchasing in key holiday destinations, as well as its IT systems. The UK-based holidays giant will have a 50.1 per cent stake in the new business, which will include Intourist’s network of 144 shops covering large parts of the country.

Intourist, which was founded in 1929 and privatised in the early 1990s, carried more than 650,000 passengers last year and is one of Russia’s leading travel brands. The company’s hotel division is not included in the deal.

Thomas Cook will initially acquire a 50.1 per cent stake in the new company for a maximum of US$45 million (€33.77 million), with the option to purchase the remainder of the shares over the next five years.

Intourist’s existing management team will continue to run the business on a day-to-day basis.

Thomas Cook chief executive officer Manny Fontenla-Novoa, said: “The move into Russia is in line with our established strategy of capturing growth in emerging markets.

“I am glad we have taken our time to secure a strong partnership and a financially attractive transaction.” VAO Intourist is majority owned by Russian consumer services firm Sistema, with the remainder held by the Moscow city government. The deal is conditional on competition clearance in Russia and is expected to complete by February.

Business Secretary Vince Cable, who is on a visit to Russia, said the deal was an example of the potential for UK companies to expand into a market where 600 UK firms are already active.

He added: “Russian tourists bring £500 million to the British tourist industry every year, and they can also benefit from Thomas Cook’s expertise around the world. I wish this joint venture every success.”