Tour Package Model

ravel Agency and Tour Operations, Itinerary Preparation & Tour Package Design

Module 2: Emergence of American Express and Thomas Cook

1. LEARNING OUTCOMES

Present module aims at looking back into the history of the first ever travel companies of the world while discussing Emergence of American Express and Thomas Cook. After going through this unit you will be able to:

1. Know about the birth of first travel agency of the world;

2. Know about the historical development of American Express;

3. Know about the historical development of Thomas Cook;

4. Understand the present status of both the companies.

2. INTRODUCTION

Thomas Cook and American Express are one of the leading travel companies that provide services worldwide. These companies

It all started during the World War 1 and for further customized. American Express traveler’s cheque card was released in 2005, that served the same purpose as the traveler’s cheque but it could have also be used in stores like a credit card. Due to the changing market condition the use of the card have be discontinued, since October 31, 2007; but all the card holders were issued the refund for their respective remaining balances.

3.6 Travels through American Express

For making travel easier, American Express established a travel division in 1915, and soon after this it established its first travel agency. By the 1930’s the travel division had grown widely and efficiently. Albert Dawson played an important role for expanding the travel business overseas and also investing in the tourist relations. He was a photographer and a film maker during the World War 1 with the German army. Today the travel division focuses on business customers and business travel, also known as corporate travel management.

3.7 What it offers now

American express has continued to offer new products to its customers, and also delivers impressive offers to the credit holders and investors. The company offers various credit cards

He was the only child and his father; John Cook played a little role in his life, as he died when the boy was four. The death of the father left Thomas’s mother in poverty, so she married again and managed to provide some schooling to her child. After his schooling he was employed as a gardener for four years and after wards as a market gardener where he was often sent to cry out his wares round the village to sell the fruits and vegetables. Tired of his job he entered to learn the trade of wood cutter and cabinet maker. By the time his mother opened a small shop where he used to lend his hand too. At 17 he also went some evident religious experience which brought him forward in the community and was chosen as the community representative. He became a religious man and indulged in various social reforms such as the thought that alcohol was the main reason for people getting in problems and the lives of people will get better if they drink less and get more