First Choice plans 50 more travel agencies

Friday, 14 Jun, 2006 0

First Choice has set a target for at least 50 more travel agencies through a combination of start-ups and franchise deals.

Chief executive Peter Long detailed the group’s plans following its half-year results statement.

He said the aim was to add the 50 new and franchised shops to the existing First Choice Retail network of more than 300 branches including 40 outlets in Asda stores.

“Because we have the smallest network there are opportunities in larger towns,” said Long, who indicated that rivals with multiple locations were shutting branches to avoid duplication.

He was speaking just days after First Choice confirmed its first franchise arrangement with 16-branch Just Go in the North West of England.

Long also dismissed rumours linking First Choice with a possible bid for MyTravel as being “without substance”, stressing that the group’s acquisition strategy was based on niche, specialist businesses.

First Choice has just 3% mainstream capacity left to sell in June after reducing the programme by 5% mainly due to an anticipated drop in demand due to the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Long revealed that the Island Cruises joint venture with Royal Caribbean could double in size depending on the availability of ships.

Island introduced a second vessel – Island Star – to its fleet in the winter and Long said one or two more vessels could be added in the next two to three years but stressed that any expansion in the cruise line would not be overly aggressive.

Report by Phil Davies

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Phil Davies

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