TUI reports majority of UK bookings online for first time
TUI is getting the majority of UK bookings online for the first time as it reports increased profits.
Online bookings in the UK now account for 51% of bookings, up four percentage points since the same time in 2013, while they account for 36% of overall TUI sales, compared to 33% last year.
Thomson and First Choice’s parent said that its ‘unique holidays’ – exclusive concept hotels targeted at particular segments of the market – now account for more than 71% of summer sales.
It claims these encourage earlier bookings, higher margins, higher customer satisfaction and earlier repeat bookings.
TUI reported that profits are up £36m to £112m, compared to £76m at the same time last year, at its third quarter results.
Despite UK profits being up 17%, excluding Easter, bookings are currently down 1% year on year.
The travel giant said summer 2014 is 88% sold with higher average selling prices across mainstream holidays.
Chief Executive of TUI Travel, Peter Long, said: "We are pleased to have delivered another strong performance this quarter across the group with a 21% increase in underlying operating profit.
"Demand for our unique holidays, which now account for over 70% of summer sales, has continued to grow, as have bookings made online.
"We remain pleased with progress in summer trading, despite strong comparatives, and are achieving higher average selling prices across Mainstream overall."
Diane
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