Online boom for TUI
TUI has reported “solid growth” at the start of the 2004/05 year with online turnover up 44%.
Europe-wide winter turnover has grown 2.4% while customer volumes have climbed 6%.
Chief executive Dr Michael Frenzel said turnover in the UK currently matches last year with selling prices “at a good level.” Western Europe as whole is showing a turnover increase of 7%.
He added bookings are shifting from the eastern to western Mediterranean with the start of the summer season “characterised by the bird flu and cartoons controversy.”
Frenzel welcomed the online performance which saw European sales climb 1.8 billion euros in 2005, an increase of 44%.
“We have consolidated our leading market position in the Internet above all in the UK but also in Germany,” he said. “If you include call centres and TV-induced sales, direct sales now account for 25% of turnover in tourism.”
He added TUI held a 13% Internet market share in the UK in January and 18% share in Germany.
Report by Steve Jones
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