ABTA 2004: Cook targets independent travellers with flexibletrips.com
Thomas Cook is aiming to cash in on the booming independent travel market with the launch of flexibletrips.com, which offers fully bonded DIY packages.
Holidaymakers can book their own no-frills flights and accommodation of flexible duration on the site, which goes live next week.
“Someone who wants to book a low-cost flight with, for example, easyJet, will be covered,” said Thomas Cook UK chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa.
Flexitrips will have a range of flights worldwide on scheduled, charter and no-frills airlines and accommodation will range from budget to luxury.
The company will also offer holidaymakers personal transfers to resort, including taxis, chauffeur-driven cars, limousines, people carriers, mini-buses and coaches for larger bookings.
Despite the move, Mr Fontenla-Novoa said he disagreed with TUI UK chief executive Peter Rothwell, who recently said the sale of packages was declining as more people arranged their own trips.
“We have four million customers and most of them want packages. That hasn’t declined, all that has happened is that there has been a growth in independent trips as people have more leisure time,” said Mr Fontenla-Novoa. “The package holiday is alive and well.”
He said the winter market was currently flat and next summer was five per cent ahead of the same time last year.
“Spain is difficult to sell, but there is some sign that the market is coming back because hoteliers are being more sensible,” added Mr Fontenla-Novoa.
“What’s driving people away from Spain at the moment is the price, not the product.”
Despite the growth in independent travel, Mr Fontenla-Novoa said Thomas Cook would not cut back the number of brochures it prints.
“It’s a huge cost to the business and something we constantly look at because it takes 24 brochures to get one booking. But we’ve tried electronic brochures and people want the real ones.”
*See www.TravelMole.com for further updated ABTA Convention news
Phil Davies
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