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ebookers reports strong 2001 performance
Online travel agency ebookers has announced that the effect of September 11 on its business is “now over” and reported strong results for the year ended December 31 2001.
During the 12 month period ebookers saw its gross sales increase by 76% to £180m, despite the terror attacks. Pre-tax losses fell to £25.6m compared to £37.04m the year before. Gross profit increased by 110% to £20.3m.
Chief executive Dinesh Dhamija (left) said: “In 2001 we have delivered very high growth and at the same time succeeded in lowering the relative size of our cost base and steadying our cash position. Bookings so far in 2002 have regained a strong upward momentum indicating that the effect of the September 11 tragedy on our business is now over.”
ebookers also said that starting from Q2 it would start to see the benefits of transferring its back office operations to India. The company currently has almost 150 employees in India, where it has a maximum capacity for 800 staff. Next month the staff will transfer to new 20,000 sq ft operations centre in Delhi. Initial functions carried out the country include data inputting, web monitoring, accounts and e-mail sales.
The company added that it would continue to increase its sale of non air-travel products which have a higher profit margin.
See our previous stories:
18 Feb 2002 Research shows strong growth for European travel sites
05 Oct 2001 ebookers announces up to 20% of jobs to go
19 Sep 2001 ebookers boss says US online firms have bigger problems
11 Jul 2001 ebookers targets business travel following First Resort deal
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