Thomas Cook chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa will continue to reassure the markets about the future of the group this week, amid reports the company is considering pulling out of long-haul package tour operating.

In recent weeks, a profit warning has sent shares in the FTSE 250 company tumbling. At the start of 2011 shares were listed at in excess of £2.00, but since then they have slid back much closer to 70p. The only positive news surrounding Thomas Cook at present seems to be the potential merger between them and Co-op travel, although the Competition Commission has now delayed a final decision on that until 11 October 2011.

Major shareholder Lloyds Banking Group demonstrated its confidence in Thomas Cook by buying 7.5 million shares recently to take its stake in the group above 6.6%.

Thomas Cook, which is Europe's second biggest travel firm are not thought to be of risk of failure and are continuing to make profits, but just not at the same level as they did previously. It is likely that they will seek to change their business model slightly and amongst other things, focus on all-inclusive type packages.

Recent statistics show that holidaymakers are more inclined to plump for all-inlcusive type deals in hard times where they have certainty over the costs.