Britain’s dismal weather is cheering for at least one industry: the travel sector. Tui Travel, the giant behind Thomson Holidays, said bookings are up as Brits look to escape the gloom.
Peter Long, chief executive, said: “It is miserable, and it’s been like that for ages. We’ve not had a spring. That’s why people are saying, my overseas holiday is sacrosanct. I need some sun.”
Bookings by Brits are up 5 per cent in the half year, with the Nordic and German market also doing well.
Tui made a loss of £346m in the first half, as usual, but will bounce back into profit in the second.
Mr Long sees little evidence that consumers are feeling more confident than a year ago.
“I don’t think they are. They are prioritising how they spend and a foreign holiday remains right at the top of the list,” he said. The interim dividend is up 10 per cent to 3.75p.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies