All Leisure group has announced that it expects a pre-tax profit of around £3.4 million for the year to October 31, in line with analysts’ expectations.
The cruise operator said the figure was after the effect of the volcanic ash cloud disruption which hit European air space in April.
In its trading update, the group said booking levels for this winter and for summer 2011 are showing year-on-year improvements with modest improvements in like-for-like selling prices.
Overall winter 2010/11 cruising capacity is 73% sold versus 66% this time last year, while summer 2011 cruising capacity is 37% sold versus 29%.
Forward bookings for its tour operation, Discover Egypt, are 62% up in passenger numbers year on year and 50% up in revenue terms over the same period.
The group said growth was being driven by charter-based rather than more expensive bespoke two-centre holidays.
All Leisure said foreign exchange continues to be an issue, while fuel and Air Passenger Duty are also rising and as a consequence squeezing margins.
By Bev Fearis
