Lowcost says UK bookings up despite CAA warning
Lowcost Travel Group claims its sales from the UK are up 30% year on year, despite the fact the Civil Aviation Authority is warning customers of the risks of booking on lowcostholidays.com following its move to the Balearics last November.
The group said traffic to its international websites is up 50% year on year across the group and its overall sales are up 40%.
"We are delighted that our investment in hotel buying, mobile and diversification from the UK is paying off, with our growth accelerating ahead of schedule," said chief marketing officer Alex Gisbert.
UK travel firms are still among lowcost’s top five trade customers, but Germany is now one of its top growth areas, it said.
The CAA launched an investigation into the financial protection offered by lowcostholidays.com following its move to Majorca on November 1. At the time, it said it was concerned the company would no longer offer consumers the same financial protection as UK-based ATOL holders.
It continues to carry a notice in red on the ‘Information for Consumers’ page of its website which reads: "CAA warns holidaymakers to consider risks before booking on lowcostholidays.com".
Visitors to the site are then invited to click through to another page which explains that the CAA has launched a legal investigation into lowcostholidays.com as it is concerned that customers’ bookings may not be financially protected and , even if they are, the protection might be limited."
Lowcostholidays insists its holidays are protected under the Spanish financial protection system.
The group said it is on course to increase total sales from £350 million last year to £1billion within the next two years.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive