MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Thomas Cook selling its travel business: Chinese investment fund interested

Thomas Cook is the world's oldest tour operator and was founded in Market Harborough in 1841 by businessman Thomas Cook

Travel company Thomas Cook has received approaches for parts of its business and the company as a whole, according to reports. The business put its airline up for sale in February and it said last month it would close 21 stores across the country and cut more than 300 jobs.

Chinese investment firm Fosun International could be a bidder for the company's tour operating business, Sky News reported. Fosun International runs a joint venture with Thomas Cook in China.

Insiders told Sky it could be months before any formal offer is lodged, and there is no guarantee one will be made.

Thomas Cook is the world's oldest tour operator and was founded in Market Harborough in 1841 by businessman Thomas Cook. It started off with organized railway outings for members of the local temperance movement.

It now has annual sales of £9bn, 19 million customers a year and 22,000 staff operating in 16 countries.

In September, Thomas Cook said profits would be hit after the summer heat wave saw many take their holidays in the UK. It issued a second profit warning in November, when it said winter bookings were also down.

The shop closures will take the number of Thomas Cook outlets down to 566. It said a consultation with staff and unions had begun.