First Choice to boost online content

First Choice plans to sell its full inventory online from the start of next year.

First Choice Holidays managing director, Neil Morris told a media conference call yesterday that the full inventory would be loaded onto the website in December 2002, in time for the peak booking period next year. Other brands including Ireland (Falcon Leisure Group), Eclipse and First Choice Retail will be launched online next year.

At first the Air2000 and First Choice websites, launched in 2001, sold flight-only, then in May 2002, a late deals section was added.

Mr Morris acknowledged that it has taken time to develop e-commerce, but said: “They say patience is a virtue, and now we are seeing the benefits. The website has a simple design for the real person, by that I mean not the travel agent”.

Mr Morris said that the lates section, for booking holidays up to 12 weeks in advance, was proving to be a success, and it looked like September 2002 was going to be a record month.