City speculates on £2.5bn MyTravel takover
The City was rife with speculation yesterday about a possible £2.5 billion takeover of MyTravel as the group’s shares rose before falling back again.
Rumours centred on First Choice being in the frame to bid for Airtours parent MyTravel – ironic given that the reverse was the case prior to MyTravel’s well documented financial woes of four years ago.
TUI was also talked about being in the frame for MyTravel, which has seen recovery following a financial restructuring. TUI was also being linked with a move for First Choice.
First Choice shares were up 8.5 to 223.5p yesterday with MyTravel ending the day up 2.5p to 240.5p.
Industry insiders do not see the sense in First Choice moving away from a strategy of developing higher earning specialist areas such as adventure holidays.
However, it has long been thought that the so-called Big Four UK tour operators – TUI, Thomas Cook, First Choice and MyTravel – are prime candidates for consolidation particularly now they face increasing competition from no-frills airlines and online travel firms which have far lower cost bases.
Both MyTravel and First Choice announce interim results in two weeks time.
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026