TRAVELWORLD BOOST
Travelworld has acquired two branches of Nottingham-based 21st Resort Travel. The branches, in Bingham and Wollaton, brings the number of shops in the Huddersfield chain to 126.
AGENCY FAILURES
Stansted Travel in Essex has become the latest travel agency to go into liquidation. The ABTA agency ceased trading last week. Claims will be handled by ABTA’s claims department. Academy of Travel, in Hayes, Middlesex, went out of business at the beginning of the month.
STAGECOACH PROFITS
Bus and rail group Stagecoach increased pre-tax profits for the six months to the end of October by one-third, to £130.2m, compared with the same period last year. Turnover was up 52% to £1,068m. Turnover at Glasgow Prestwick International Airport, owned by Stagecoach, rose £1.1m to £13.8m despite the abolition of Duty-Free sales in the European Union from July 1.
BASS RESULTS
Holiday Inn parent Bass has increased pre-tax profits for the year to the end of September by 4.8% on the previous year to £682m. Operating profit rose 14% to £824m on turnover up 10.8% at £4,686m. Inter-Continental, in its first full year under Bass ownership, increased operating profits by 23% to £214m.
UNITED APPOINTMENT
United Airlines has appointed Mike Tunnicliffe as UK marketing manager. He replaces Stephen Pearse who has become United general manager for New Zealand.