Tag Archives: British holidaymakers

Tui claims to have outperformed the market in January

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Tui claims to have outperformed the market in January

Tui Travel claims to have “significantly outperformed” the market in the peak January selling period for summer holidays.

Sales volumes are now ahead of the company’s 9% capacity reduction, and is 35% sold to date, described as in line with the previous year.

Capacity has been cut for North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean, with some of this reduction offset by increased capacity in the Canary Islands.

“Turn of year trading has been ahead of expectations and we are particularly pleased with our online performance,” Tui said.

The average selling price is up 8%, reflecting cost base inflation of approximately 5% and the continued increase in differentiated content.

“We have continued to increase the proportion of holidays sold online with 42% booked online for summer 2012, up six percentage points versus the prior year.”

All inclusive bookings are up by seven percentage points to make up 55% of bookings to date for the first summer that First Choice becomes exclusively all inclusive.

The ‘all in’ holiday concept is proving attractive, particularly in the current economic environment.

“As we continue to expand our differentiated offering, which traditionally books earlier, these products have accounted for 64% of bookings to date, up seven percentage points on the prior year,” Tui said.

UK bookings for this winter have improved since early December, with volumes continuing to move towards a capacity reduction of 9% and there is less left to sell against this time last year.

The booked load factor is currently 71%, described as being broadly in line with last year.

“We are pleased with our price performance, with average selling prices up 5% in light of inflationary cost increases and increased differentiated sales,” Tui said.

“Demand for differentiated products continues to be strong with volumes up 15%. These products now account for 62% of our sales, up 12 percentage points on prior year.

“As anticipated, North Africa remains challenging with volumes down 23%. Across our programme strong demand in the lates booking period has resulted in improved load factors for November, December and January.”

Legionnaires’ disease causes Saga Holidays deaths

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Legionnaires’ disease causes Saga Holidays deaths

Feb 03, 2012 08:42AM GMT

Two elderly British holidaymakers have died while on holiday in Spain after contracting Legionnaires’ disease.

The men died after staying at the Diamante Beach Hotel in Calpe, Saga Holidays said. One died in hospital on Thursday while the other was found dead in a hotel room.

A further three people remain in hospital in Spain while another has been discharged.

Five other people who recently stayed at the same hotel have been treated in hospital in the UK and all but one have been discharged, the operator said.

All people affected are in their 70s and 80s.

A Saga spokesman said: “It was reported to us on Saturday, January 14 that a customer who had stayed at the Diamante Beach Hotel in Spain was being treated for pneumonia caused by legionella.

“When that happened we immediately sent out a scientific expert to Spain and informed our guests there and offered to move them to a different hotel.

“We also contacted people who had stayed at the hotel in the previous month telling them to contact their doctor if they were experiencing flu-like symptoms.”

He added: “Five people who had since returned to the UK had been to the doctors and were confirmed as having contracted legionella. Four were discharged and one is still in hospital in the UK and responding to treatment.

“In Spain there were five people treated in hospital, one was treated and discharged and three are responding to treatment in wards. One gentleman was treated in the intensive care unit and passed away.”

He said the company moved all clients to a new hotel after their expert conducted tests on water samples.

Saga will reportedly be offering compensation to holidaymakers who contracted the bacterium and has suspended sending clients to the hotel.

“This is clearly a very upsetting time for families and staff. We have sent extra people to Spain to support them in any way we can. We treat people on our holidays as part of the family and this is a great tragedy and our condolences go out,” the spokesman said.