TUI summer bookings strengthen

Thomson Holidays owner TUI Travel reported improved summer bookings today as it continued to outpace the market and make gains at the expense of struggling rival Thomas Cook.

By The Newsroom

Published 29th Mar 2012, 10:02 BST

Europe’s biggest tour operator said cumulative bookings as at March 25 were six per cent lower, compared to a seven per cent decline as at January 29, driven by demand for differentiated products - that is, holidays exclusively available through TUI.

However, the company said weak demand for North African destinations, such as Tunisia and Egypt, following political turmoil in the region, continued to weigh on its overall performance.

Thomas Cook, which was forced to turn to its banks for additional support last year and has reduced its capacity, unveiled a worsening picture yesterday with a decline in summer bookings widening since its last trading update in February.