Gradual improvement in booking at Thomas Cook

Struggling tour operator Thomas Cook has said bookings for the summer are still well down on numbers recorded last year, but that thing were gradually improving. In total UK bookings for summer 2012 were down two per cent, the company said in a statement to markets earlier. However, capacity has been cut dramatically, with Thomas Cook expecting a tough year, meaning just 17 per cent of holidays remain to be sold. Thomas Cook added bookings had been assisted by the launch of a new website and advertising campaign in recent weeks. Average selling prices at Thomas Cook were up four per cent. “Following recent improvements to our websites, mainstream online bookings have seen a substantial uplift and were up 19 per cent in the last four weeks,” explained the company. Thomas Cook group chief executive, Sam Weihagen, attempted to reassure investors. “Trading across the group has been stable since we last reported and in line with expectations,” he said in a statement.