Travel firm squeezed as holidaymakers hang back

THOMSON Holidays owner TUI Travel has been left with a lot of cheap deals to sell after would-be sunseekers sat on their hands amid nerves over post-election tax rises, decent summer weather and the World Cup, the firm said today.
TUI, which has more or less four million UK customers, said disruptions from Republic of Iceland volcanic ash cloud also affected trading as it warned of full-year results at the bluer end of City hopes.

UK bookings have fallen 2 per centum since its last update in May and the firm now has more vacations to give away in the "lates" market, bosoming profits.
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TUI, which is as well braced for a hit from the pound's recent defend against the euro, said the uncertainty was likely to linger as would-be tourers waited longer before booking.
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Chief administrator Peter Long warned: "It remains difficult to predict how the later engagement pattern will change over the next 12-18 months in the light of the current efficient environment."