Thomas Cook buys Elegant Resorts

Thomas Cook employs 30,000 people worldwide

Thomas Cook, one of the world's largest travel companies, has bought luxury holiday firm Elegant Resorts for an undisclosed sum.

Chester-based travel company Elegant Resorts offers tailor-made trips to the Caribbean and African safaris.

Earlier this year, Thomas Cook bought hotel bookings website Hotels4u.com in a £22m deal.

It already offers more expensive holidays through its Latitude and Thomas Cook Signature brands.

Thomas Cook's chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa said the deal allowed the company to "further enhance its position in this lucrative and growing segment of the leisure travel market."

Elegant was co-founded by Geoff Moss and Barbara Catchpole in 1988. Last year it organised trips for 20,000 holidaymakers.