Thomas Cook Egypt and Thomas Cook Lebanon have been sold for £6.5m, said Thomas Cook Group today.

The group expects to incur an exceptional non-cash loss on sale of £19.5m, principally due to the write-off of goodwill.

The businesses have been sold to Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo (Holdings) Co WLL of Bahrain but Thomas Cook Group will continue to offer its customers from other markets travel services to Egypt.

Harriet Green, chief executive at Thomas Cook Group, said: ‘I am pleased to report further progress on our rapid transformation of Thomas Cook.

‘This sale will enable us to focus more of our capital and resources on our core businesses, supporting the delivery of profitable growth.’

The sale does not affect Thomas Cook Group’s outbound programme for European customers who wish to travel to Egypt.

To see the Thomas Cook announcement in full, click here.