p6 News May 22 20/5/09 16:22 Page 6
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ttglive.com
‘2010 going to be
Kuoni in Travelife
KUONI has joined the FTO’s Travelife system in
which operators use only hotels that meet set
environmental and social criteria.
The operator said it was joining the system,
worse than 2009’
which gives properties gold, silver or bronze
awards according to their record, to emphasise
its commitment to sustainability.
It said it had already implemented more than
30 projects focusing on working conditions, pro-
tecting children, ensuring good water supplies
Lucy Huxley.
He added: “If we come through this recession and helping to prevent climate change.
CURRENCY fluctuations and rising unemploy- by the back end of next year, I think we’ll be in a Kuoni has also held a “Sustainability Fayre” for
ment will make 2010 even tougher than this year, much stronger position.” suppliers, where staff learned more about the
the boss of Thomas Cook has predicted. Fontenla-Novoa said prices were likely to Travelife system and considered ways to cut
Manny Fontenla-Novoa (pictured) said increase 2-3% in 2010 because of currency environmental impact in their daily lives.
unemployment was a real threat but Cook was fluctuations. He revealed average prices for
well structured to overcome the worst. summer 2009 holidays were £536 per person, up
He said: “Those people who are in work have 9% year-on-year.
Move to Gatwick
got more money to spend because of falling Fontenla-Novoa’s pessimistic assessment for
interest rates, and demand is proving robust. next year echoed that of All Leisure Group
“But there could be 700,000 to 800,000 more chairman Roger Allard who spoke at a recent
cruise ‘heartland’
people unemployed by next year.” Institute of Travel and Tourism event. THE DECISION by Norwegian Air Shuttle to switch
He said Cook bought its currency and hedged “Regrettably, I think 2010 is going to be worse flights from Stansted to Gatwick in April has been
at a good rate for this summer, but the fact it had than 2009. That’s not because business is going welcomed by its cruise line partner Hurtigruten.
to buy at worse rates for to be worse but because A tie-up between Norwegian, Hurtigruten and
2010 could have implica- of costs,” said Allard. Innovation Norway saw Tromso- Stansted flights
tions on demand. “We have got to see start two years ago, enabling the line to expand
“Because of currencies the price of holidays go its UK business.
and unemployment, I up, even double-digit Kathryn Beadle, Hurtigruten sales and market-
think it’s going to be even increases next year. ing director, said: “The catchment area is so much
tougher next year,” said Therefore, by definition, bigger around Gatwick, and that’s our heartland.”
Fontenla-Novoa. demand will go down.” Beadle said Hurtigruten had secured new
“But we are achieving He added: “There are funding and renewed backing from the Norwe-
industry-leading margins going to be mergers and gian government, following reports it was losing
and believe they are going failures, or a combina- money on its regular west coast Norway sailings
to get stronger still. tion of both, but certainly that are used by local people as a ferry service.
“Plus, we are confident we as an industry can’t Hurtigruten is developing an online booking
of meeting board expecta- keep on being the same tool for agents that should be ready this year.
tions for the full year.” size we are.”
■ Hurtigruten buoyed by group sales, p20
THOMAS COOK.
Cook chain ‘faces 100 closures’
THOMAS COOK chief executive Manny Fontenla- also because they take a greater proportion of
Novoa estimated his UK shops will reduce by higher-value bookings.
about 100 outlets to 700 over the next five years. “Though 35% of our bookings are now coming
He said: “Shops are a very important part of through the internet, only 15-16% of those are
our past, present and future strategy. top-end brochure sales where we make our most
“I don’t really care that much [what the margin,” he said, adding that companies without
eventual number is] as long as I have flexibility in a shop network were struggling, mentioning
the model and am careful with my leases. Kuoni and Carnival UK in particular.
“Ultimately, it will be the customer who Fontenla-Novoa revealed he gets “approached
decides how many we need, but it will probably all the time” to enter into joint ventures with SOUTHAMPTON’S BIG OPENING:
be around 700.” cruise lines desperate to secure distribution. The city’s new Ocean Terminal is now
Fontenla-Novoa said shops were important, But he added: “We are not interested in operational. The facility has been built
not only as advertising and marketing outlets but owning cruise ships.” specifically to cater for large cruise ships.
06 22.05.2009
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