FIRST Choice chief executive Peter Long has played down the
likelihood of consolidation among major industry players in the
next three years.
The statement is a U-turn on his previous comments last October
that the big four companies would be reduced to two within five
years in a market dominated by US giants Cendant and InterActive
Corporation.
Speaking exclusively to Travel Weekly, he said: “There
won’t be much consolidation in the short term. I don’t
see the logic; I don’t see why two large companies would
consolidate and what the benefits would be.”
He admitted his viewpoint had changed in the past six months.
“I have moved slightly in my view of the shape of the
industry,” he added.
Industry sources agreed there would be few short-term changes
although some predicted MyTravel was the most likely to be snapped
up.