LONDON: Holidaybreak Plc., U.K.'s leading operator of specialist holiday business, posted record annual profit for the year ended September 2005 at 32 million pounds in comparison with 28 million pounds last year.
This is creditable for the company, according to analysts, since the travel and holiday scenario the world over had suffered due to reasons such as increased terrorist activities and a series of natural calamities. Its turnover went up to 303 million pounds from 281.6 million pounds.
Cheshire-based Holidaybreak operates in the U.K. and mainland Europe. It said its London short breaks market remained subdued after the July bombings, but its current operations are in line with expectations. It had impressive performance in the core U.K. and Dutch markets, it said. The company had acquired two Dutch firms, Bookit in December 2004 and Djoser in January 2005.
The company said it sold more than three million holidays in the year compared with 2.3 million in 2004. Its camping division profits fell 5.4 per cent to 13 million pounds on sales down to 113.7 million pounds.
Holidaybreak's chief executive Carl Michel said the company's main focus today is on adventure holidays and London breaks, where its sales are stronger. It is also putting a lot of emphasis on Europe for further acquisitions and tour destinations, he said.
The company's board has recommended a final dividend of 19.35 pence, up from 17.6 pence in 2004.
Posted
on : Sat, 03 Dec 2005 01:35 GMT | General News
By : Chris Rowe
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