TUI’s forward bookings up 10%
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TUI Travel has revealed its UK bookings for summer 2013 are up 10% compared to the same period last year.
In its latest trading update the travel company said 11% of its summer programme had been sold for next year, with the average selling price up 3%.
TUI is on track to meet its full year expectations after strong trading this summer. Its total sales for mainstream bookings in the UK were up 5% although its customer count was down by 4% year-on-year, with TUI saying it has fewer holidays to sell than this time last year.
Its winter 2012 holidays are currently 31% sold with 41% of these bought online. Its online accommodation businesses and specialist and activity products continue to drive its figures, with its differentiated holidays making up 63% of its current sold trips.
“We are very pleased with our summer 2012 performance, with most of our programmes now almost fully sold. High demand in the peak summer period, driven by our strategy of differentiated and exclusive product distributed online, has resulted in strong lates margins and load factors,” said Peter Long, chief executive of TUI Travel.
“We remain on track to meet our full year expectations, with strong underlying trading offset by the impact of re-translation of fourth quarter Eurozone earnings,” he added.
TUI’s online accommodation outlets were given a further boost after it was revealed the company has acquired one of Brazil’s leading domestic accommodation-only sites, MalaPronta.com. With travel in Brazil amongst one of the largest growing markets, the move will increase TUI’s presence in South America, which predominantly books online.