Peter Long probably doesn't openly plot for the demise of Thomas Cook. On the other hand, he may feel that his intervention is hardly proving necessary.

Beach breaks are still the most popular type of holiday but tourists are less satisfied with them than with some other types of trip, according to a Which? magazine survey.

Thomas Cook said yesterday it had raised nearly £200m by selling and leasing back 17 of its aircraft to give it more headroom on its banking facilities, as it posted widening half-year losses.

Golden chance for 20,000 'lucky losers' in first ballot to see 100m final as final batch is released

Holidaymakers travelling to eurozone countries are getting the best value for money in three-and-a-half years amid the continuing eurozone crisis.

Each week, we invite three companies to offer us their best deal for a specific holiday. Today: a family holiday in Portugal during half term. Prices are based on two adults and two children travelling. Each package includes flights from the UK on Saturday 2 June, transfers and a week's accommodation.

Here are some figures that ought to scare you a little, if you happen to have taken out a package holiday with Thomas Cook. Last year, despite its well publicised problems, the tour operator's UK arm generated sales of £2.35bn. At the same time, the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) fund to protect those who would otherwise be left high and dry in the event of a holiday company going bust was (at the beginning of 2011) £42m in deficit.

Outlook Here are some figures that ought to scare you a little, if you happen to have taken out a package holiday with Thomas Cook. Last year, despite its well publicised problems, the tour operator's UK arm generated sales of £2.35bn. At the same time, the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) fund to protect those who would otherwise be left high and dry in the event of a holiday company going bust was (at the beginning of 2011) £42m in deficit.

Where's the cheapest place to get cash?

Budget airline Ryanair has been rapped once again for misleading customers - this time for falsely implying rival Thomas Cook was likely to go into administration.

The idea of a home Olympics is wearing thin for Denis Clayton. He has been to every summer Games since 1960 but having put up £400 for athletics tickets, he got none and won't be going to London 2012. Mind you, they might have seen him coming. In Olympic Tickets for Sale (Channel 4, Monday) he put on a slideshow of his travels and one picture showed him standing on the running track before being escorted off. Clearly there's a security issue, and someone is keeping track of him.