Turkish investor acquires Russia's Intourist from Thomas Cook

A Turkish investor has acquired Intourist, one of Russia's largest tour operators and former Soviet monopolist, from collapsed travel group Thomas Cook Group, the Russian company said Friday.

Neset Cockar, "the second largest shareholder in the Thomas Cook Group, has today announced the signing of an agreement to acquire Intourist from the Thomas Cook Group," Intourist said in a statement, not revealing how much the deal was worth.

Cockar, who also owns Turkish tour operator Anex, was quoted as saying: "Once we have recapitalized and restructured Intourist, we intend to share Intourist with the Russian people through an IPO to celebrate its glorious comeback."