The Thomas Cook Group has garnered seven major awards at the British Travel Awards 2005, including a new award category: Travel Company of the Year. According to a panel of industry experts, Thomas Cook has been cited because of its financial turnaround, innovative approach to business, exceptional customer service and overall company performance.

Thomas Cook received awards such as Tour Operator of the Year, Best Operator to Spain, and Best Operator to Turkey. The specialist businesses of Thomas Cook UK & Ireland also overcame stiff competition to win Best Operator to Asia for its Thomas Cook Signature brand, with Neilson winning Best Ski & Board Operator and Best Activity Holidays Operator.

“I can’t tell you how proud I was to collect this award on behalf of all the Thomas Cook staff. In a year when we’re on track to deliver our best results ever, its great to receive such an important recognition from the industry,” says Manny Fontenla-Novoa, Chief Executive Officer for Thomas Cook UK & Ireland. “To win one award is always an important reflection of the company’s success. To win seven - including the two top honors of Tour Operator and the new Travel Company of the Year award - was fantastic,” Novoa enthused.