Thomas Cook Foresees 10 Percent Spike in Bookings until March

Thomas Cook, the Germany-based tour operator, is hoping to get a double-digit increase in the number of bookings through the oncoming European summertime season, the company informed in Frankfurt. “As we speak, we’re seeing a good trend in the booking of travel packages,” said Detlef Altmann, a member of the firm’s board of directors.

The representative of Europe’s second-largest tour operator –only trailing behind fellow German agency TUI- says this hike in the number of reservations is owed to such factors as upfront economic compensations paid to travel seekers and overall discounts of up to 15 percent off.

However, Mr. Altmann believes low prices are also having ripple effects on the sale of travel packages.

On the list of the most favored destinations for the next summertime season, such spots as Mexico and the Dominican Republic –both of them outside the so-called euro zone- are two standouts.

Moreover, a 7 percent increase in bookings is also expected for the ongoing wintertime season, Mr. Altmann explained.

Last year, the tour operator –owned fifty-fifty by Lufthansa Airlines and wholesaler KarstadtQuelle- endured heavy losses as a result of the travel industry crisis worldwide and the excess of availabilities.