Ash crisis has “minimal impact†on Travelzest
Thursday, 23 Apr, 2010
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The volcanic ash crisis which grounded aircraft across Europe for six days had only a “minimal” impact on Travelzest, the group said today.
In a market update the UK and Canadian holiday company said: “Our primary concerns have been to ensure that our affected customers have had updated information on the situation and to work with our global partners to find alternative means of getting our customers home.”
Travelzest also revealed that former Unijet founding director and First Choice executive Nigel Jenkins had joined as a non-executive director. Jenkins holds a similar role with All Leisure Group and is non-executive chairman of KBC PR & Marketing.
His appointment came as the company, which expects to publish its results for the six months ended April 30 in June, said trading in the period had shown a “strong improvement”.
Another non-executive director is to be appointed to further increase expertise on the board.
“We continue to see an increased level of consumer demand in UK, Canada and USA markets, with improved outbound travel interest seen in all regions,” a statement said.
“New marketing and operational strategies are showing strong signs of improving brand awareness and market share capture in both the UK and Canada.”
Winter 2009/10 bookings across the group were up approximately 14% year on year, with Canadian operations providing the majority of the growth.
Advance bookings for this summer are up year on year approximately 30% in the UK and 22% in Canada.
Travelzest is to introduce a new unified distribution and booking platform in August, initially to luxury and upper mid-market consumers in the UK.
CEO Jonathan Carroll said: “Our team both in Canada and the UK has performed exceptionally well over the past six months to execute all the new strategies we have developed that will bring Travelzest into a new era.
“We still have a number of exciting projects to launch and new strategies to develop, and feel that, with our team working as strongly as they are doing, our trading in the second half has great promise.
“We are delighted that Nigel has agreed to join Travelzest as a non-executive director.
“His experience, expertise and wealth of industry contacts will be invaluable as we drive the group forward.
“Over the last year, we have taken significant steps to position the Company to thrive; this appointment is a vital ingredient in the new mix.”
Jenkins said: “Travelzest is a unique business with tremendous potential.
“I believe it is now positioned to take a quantum leap; continuing to give its customers a truly unique holiday experience, whilst driving shareholder value.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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