Can This Controversial Former Thomas Cook Exec Really Build the Next Travel Giant?
Photo Credit: Manny Fontenla-Novoa became president of Logitravel in 2018, which now plans to to merge with Spain's Viajes El Corte Ingles. Unsplash / Benjamin Gremler
Skift Take
Many people will be watching the next chapter in Manny Fontenla-Novoa's career closely. Can he restore his reputation with this new pan-European travel agency?
Manny Fontenla-Novoa, the CEO forced out by Thomas Cook after three profit warnings and a bank bailout in 2011, is back in the spotlight a decade later as two European travel companies prepare to merge.
Fontenla-Novoa became president of online travel agency Logitravel in 2018, after it bought Magic Rooms, a business he founded in 2014. It now plans to to merge with Spanish agency group Viajes El Corte Ingles, creating a new company which aspires to become a global player, competing with the likes of TUI.
The transaction is subject to the approval of Spanish independent competition regulator Comision Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia, while the name of the new company has yet to be decided.
Join Us at the Skift Destination and Sustainability Summit on July 21
Logitravel has 1,000 employees, and claims it supplies accommodation to 4.5 million customers worldwide. Viajes El Corte Ingles was founded as corporate travel agen
