...Thomas Cook...
Born at Melbourne in Derbyshire in November 1808.
He started to work at the age of 10 as gardener's help, then wood-turner and printer at Loughborough.
When he was 20, he became a Bible-reader and village missionary.
He married in 1832.
He organized his 1st railway excursion on 05/07/1841, persuading the Midland Countries Railway Company to run a special return trip from Leiscester to Loughborough for one shilling a head for a temperance meeting.
By 1844, Cook had a permanent arrangement with the Midland Company to put trains at his disposal, for which he would supply the passengers.
Then in 1855, for the Paris exhibition, Cook ventured into the European market for the 1st time.
In 1856, he organised his 1st circular grand tour of Europe.
At first, Cook's tour were personally conducted-guided.
In the early 1860s, he started acting as an agent for the sole of travel tickets and from then on the travellers travelled independently.
In 1865, Thomas Cook initiated "hotel coupon" , offering accomodation at a fixed charge.
Thomas Cook's idea was to promote educational or recreational travel.
Thomas Cook did much to relieve 19th century travellers of the worry of buying tickets in unfamiliar currencies in unfamiliar languages,
He also created the 1st wave of mass tourism.
It is Thomas cook who opened the door on more adventurous holidays.
He also assisted British military operations in Egypt and the Sudan.
He encouraged the growth of tourist resorts in Europe.
* Info: PEOPLE WHO CHANGED THE WORLD by RODNEY CASTLEDEN
* Photos: www.wikipedia.org
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