Thomas Cook is Crowned the UK's Top Travel Agent and Tour Operator "Superbrand" for the Fifth Year Running

LONDON, March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Trusted travel company Thomas Cook has topped the "Travel Agents and Tour Operators" category yet again and is celebrating being named one of the of the UK's leading brands.

Package holidays with Thomas Cook currently cover a huge range of global destinations, from Spain holiday deals to Algarve holiday offers and its service is proving as popular as ever as the much-loved superbrand is again named number one in the Travel Agents and Tour Operators category in the prestigious 2012 Consumer Superbrands list.

The influential Superbrands ranking, now in its thirteenth year, has long been a strong barometer of brand strength in the UK, as it is voted for by an independent survey of more than 2,000 British consumers.

As the top travel agent and tour operator among the superbrands for the fifth year on the trot, Thomas Cook has been recognised by the British public as a brand that represents reliability, quality and distinction. The world's best-known name in travel was placed at number 101 of the top 500. Three other tour operator brands in the top 500 were Thomson Holidays (ranked 208), Virgin Holidays (332), and Kuoni (478).    

 Thomas Cook UK & Ireland currently takes passengers to a variety of destinations, from far-flung countries like the Dominican Republic and the USA, to those a little closer to home, offering deals like Portugal package holidays and great Greek getaways. It is currently the second largest leisure travel group in the UK and boasts some of the world's favourite travel brands, including Airtours, Club 18-30, Cruise Thomas Cook, Direct Holidays and Neilson.

Speaking about the Superbrands award, Michael Johnson, Marketing Director at Thomas Cook, said: "Yet again, Thomas Cook is ranked the highest Superbrand in the Travel Agents and Tour Operators category, testament to our heritage and our place as a trusted brand in the minds of consumers in the UK and their positive attitude towards the brand."

Undertaken by The Centre for Brand Analysis, the surveyed consumers and expert council use the following "Superbrands definition", when considering making their choice:  "A Superbrand has established the finest reputation in its field. It offers customers significant emotional and/or tangible advantages over other brands, which, consciously or sub-consciously, customers want and recognise."

The chairman of the Superbrands Expert Council, Stephen Cheliotis, added: "A Superbrand is one which constantly delivers excellence and quality, and this year's consumer poll reflects this. 

"It is a huge achievement that Thomas Cook has made the official 2012 list, revealing its influence on today's consumers."

SOURCE Thomas Cook