First Choice reports long-haul success

The tour operator First Choice Holidays has reported an increase in early bookings, in a trading update that said full-year trading would be “in line with expectations”. The operator, whose brands include Sovereign and Falcon, says an increased focus on medium- and long-haul products have contributed to a 20 per cent increase in bookings for summer 2005 and a seven per cent hike for the coming winter season. Referring specifically to long-haul bookings, First Choice said bookings for next summer were up 57 per cent, while accepting that it is still “very early” to make serious predictions for summer 2005. There has been an even bigger increase in the number of online bookings, with the company’s Online Destination Services Sector increasing by 125 per cent over the same period last year. Results for the full year to 31 October will be announced on 14 December. Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd