BOOKINGS BOOST FOR THOMAS COOK

Peterborough Thomas Cook enjoys festive tidings

Peterborough-based Thomas Cook has reported a surge in the number of holiday bookings over the Christmas period.

Amid the tinsel and turkey, many people found time from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day to book holidays with Thomas Cook.

According to online search and booking data from Thomas Cook, Boxing Day was particularly popular for package holiday and flight bookings with the Canaries topping the getaway dream for most people.

The number of online searches were up 60 per cent compared to an average weekday during winter, while bookings were up 20 per cent.

News of the surge in bookings over the festive period will gladden the hearts of Thomas Cook bosses who are embroiled in a struggle to overturn a £163 million loss made in the year to the end of September.

Even on Christmas Day, the thoughts of many people had turned to that sunshine break. Searches for holidays on thomascook.com and flights on thomascookairlines.com peaked between 8pm and 9pm on Christmas Day.

The firm, which employs more than 1,000 people at its offices in Westpoint, Lynch Wood, says a growing number of online searches have come through people’s mobile phones.

A spokeswoman said: “Since Christmas Eve, mobile has been the most popular device for searching and booking, with its share growing eight per cent and 14 per cent respectively year-on-year on thomascook.com

The most popular package holiday destinations included Turkey, USA and Egypt.

Demand for Thomas Cook holidays took off over Christmas.