UK bookings down 3% year-on-year for Thomas Cook
Bookings for Thomas Cook UK are down 3% year-on-year and selling prices are in line with last year.
But releasing a trading statement today, the group said in recent weeks UK margin per passenger has shown a marked improvement.
Chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa said the bad summer weather started to have a positive impact on summer 2008 sales from late August.
“It’s very very early days, and we don’t want to get too excited about this, but we are encouraged none the less, and we’d rather have it in this situation,” he told analysts.
“Demand is start to move our margins and we’re currently enjoying margins significantly ahead of last year, in particular in the UK for winter 07/08 and summer 08.”
Thomas Cook Group said early indications for the UK summer season 2008 are good, with customers booking early to ensure they get the holiday of their choice.
“As with winter 07/08, we are adjusting the combined flying programme to exit unprofitable business and optimise yield management,” said its trading statement.
By Bev Fearis
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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