Thomas Cook reveals cutting edge personal video service for cruise

Thomas Cook is to launch a revolutionary online personalised video tool for cruise customers on its website by the end of the year. The system builds individual videos using thousands of clips of existing Thomas Cook cruise footage from its cruise partners based on user preferences. When the service is launched, visitors to the cruise…

Thomas Cook is to launch a revolutionary online personalised video tool for cruise customers on its website by the end of the year.

The system builds individual videos using thousands of clips of existing Thomas Cook cruise footage from its cruise partners based on user preferences.

When the service is launched, visitors to the cruise section on the new thomascook.com, large parts of which are in beta and available to users, will be asked a series of questions, allowing the system to understand the type of cruise required.

Questions such as cruise type, starting destination, requirements, region and brand will then give the tool enough information to create a video unique to the user about different products and ships available.

Russell Gould, director of e-commerce at Thomas Cook, told Travolution the system will be in place on the main site by either November or December this year following extensive usability testing.

A video unveiling the project for the first time was shown to delegates at the Internet Advertising Bureau’s Engage for Travel conference this week.

Gould said the project was “tremendously exciting” and indicates the impact on video on the web.

Users who watch video on thomascook.com are typically converting 30% higher than those who browse traditional web pages, Gould also revealed.