Thomas Cook’s UK bookings down but prices up
Thomas Cook’s UK bookings are down 3% on last year, with a capacity cut of 2.5%.
But the travel group said year on year average sales prices are up over 4.5%.
"UK capacity is now over 97% sold and is broadly in line with expectations," it said in a pre-close trading update today.
Summer trading across all markets is now over 95% sold, and is also "in line with expectations", said Group chief executive Harriet Green.
"In recent weeks, as anticipated at the time of our quarter 3 Interim Management Statement in August, bookings on a year on year basis have slowed compared to last year’s strong lates market," she said.
"On a cumulative basis across the Group as a whole, bookings have outperformed our planned capacity management by over 4%. "
Thomas Cook gave less detail about its winter sales, saying it was at an early stage in the booking cycle.
"Not unexpectedly, given geopolitical events and warm weather across Europe, winter trading has started more slowly than last year across most markets," it said.
"However, we continue to pursue an active capacity management strategy, matching committed capacity to demand and, as a consequence, it is encouraging to note that average selling prices are up strongly in all markets."
Thomas Cook’s results for the year ended September 30 2013 will be announced on November 28.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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