Thomson Travel Group
| Company type | Public limited company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Travel and holiday |
| Predecessor | Thomson Corporation (acquired tour operators and Britannia Airways) |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Defunct | 2002 |
| Fate | Rebranded as TUI Northern Europe Limited, subsidiary of TUI AG |
| Headquarters | Luton , United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Parent | Preussag AG (from 2000) |
Thomson Travel Group plc was established by the Canadian Thomson Corporation when it was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1998. In 2000, it was purchased by Preussag AG, a conglomerate specializing in industrial and transportation sectors. The company operated under this identity until 2002, when it was rebranded as TUI Northern Europe Limited, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of TUI AG.
History
The origins of the company date back to 1965, when Thomson Corporation acquired four tour operators—Skytours, Riviera, Luxitours, and Gaytours—alongside the airline Britannia Airways, merging them into Thomson Travel.
In 1970, with Bryan Llewellyn as managing director, the business underwent a rebranding to become "Thomson Holidays."
Two years later, in 1972, Thomson expanded its presence by acquiring Lunn Poly, which grew to become the UK's largest travel agency chain.
By 1981, Thomson Holidays had introduced pioneering Business-to-Business online shopping solutions.
The company’s public offering occurred in May 1998 on the London Stock Exchange, with a market valuation of £1.7 billion.
Following its acquisition in 2000 by Preussag AG (which was renamed TUI AG in 2002), the Thomson brand continued to be used until it was phased out in 2017.
Thomson Founders' Club
Upon Thomson Travel’s flotation in 1998, shareholders were granted entry into the "Thomson Founders' Club," which provided a 10% holiday discount. Eligibility required ownership of at least 294 shares; however, after Preussag’s acquisition, membership became lifelong and unconditional. The Club was discontinued without prior notification or reimbursement on 31 January 2008.