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Icelolly sees bookings spike after Thomas Cook collapse
Price comparison site Icelolly has confirmed media reports that holiday prices have risen following the collapse of Thomas Cook.
It says prices have risen an average of 11% since the news broke.
Prices rose sharply as early as September 19, suggesting companies were already acting in anticipation of the travel giant’s demise.
They dropped back the following day but stayed on average 7% higher than the rest of the month.
However, Icelolly said operators had promised to increase capacity ‘to limit further cost impacts’.
The site saw a 121% increase in visits in the day after Thomas Cook announced it was folding as customers desperately sought alternative holidays.
It said about 64% of these searches converted into bookings.
Spain was the most popular destination, with the number of searches up 174% on the previous day, while Greece searches were up 206% and searches for Portugal rose 125%.
Turkey increased 408%, accounting for one in five of all searches, and Tunisia and Egypt rose 505% and 325% respectively.
The America’s also rose up the search rankings, with Mexico increasing 258% and the 140%. India, Gambia, Cuba and the Dominican Republic all saw growth of over 200%.
Winter 2019 searches increased 141% while summer 2020 searches were up 98%.
Icelolly CMO Ross Matthews said: "Like many others in our industry, we are extremely saddened by the news that the UK’s most iconic and longest-established travel brand has ceased operating.
"Our thoughts are with the customers and the many thousands of Thomas Cook employees in the UK and around the world affected by Monday’s events."
"As a business, our priority right now is to help those looking to find alternative holidays following the cancellation of their Thomas Cook holidays.
"However, and as widely reported, icelolly has seen an increase in holiday prices after the world’s oldest travel company folded as demand outweighs supply, although operators have pledged to increase availability (flights, seats, accommodation, etc) to limit further cost impacts.
"Accordingly, we remain dedicated to meeting the needs of those future bookers who are concerned that prices may rise and are looking for the very best value deals in the market."
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Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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