BEN KRITZ
ON Monday, Thomas Cook, the world’s oldest tour operator — the company that, in fact, invented the business — abruptly collapsed, instantly putting about 21,000 people out of work and leaving up to 600,000 travelers stranded around the world. The direct impact of the debacle on the Philippines is negligible, and people in the tourism sector here, who regards others’ misfortunes with an infuriating smugness, will undoubtedly take self-aggrandizing advantage of the situation. What they really should do instead is to keep their mouths shut, and carefully assess the lessons Thomas Cook’s demise provides.