Thomas Cook introduces ‘Connected’ in-resort service

A new in-resort service will allow holidaymakers to stay in contact with Thomas Cook representatives at any time or place.

A new in-resort service will allow holidaymakers to stay in contact with Thomas Cook representatives at any time or place.

Introduced across 15 resorts in Spain and Portugal, the Connected service will eventually be expanded to other destinations.

Video welcome meetings and smart phone compatible guidebooks are also planned.

The operator denies that the hi-tech service will replace resort reps.

Cook says ‘Connected’ has been designed for travellers who do not want to attend a welcome meeting or wait for a daily visit from their holiday advisor, but want to be able to contact a rep when they need one.

The service is available via free phone, email, SMS, Blackberry BBM, Facetime, Skype and Whatsapp.

Holidaymakers will be able to call ‘Connected’ from landline phones in hotel receptions free of charge.

They will also be able to stay in touch via tablets or smartphones due to Wi-Fi being offered in more than 1,000 hotels this summer.

Thomas Cook group destination management director Jackie Stevenson said: “The Connected service isn’t a replacement for our rep service, but a way of complementing traditional service and realising that one size does not always fit all when it comes to our customers.

“The service is manned by experienced, multi-lingual staff, who can not only help with handy in-resort services, such as booking excursions, car hire, arrange flight extras or confirming transfer times, but also resolve challenges quickly and expertly, allowing our guests to get on with enjoying their holiday.”

A ‘Connected-light’ version was also launched in Florida earlier this month ensuring holidaymakers can spend the maximum time in theme parks but still stay in touch.