Thomson will control 75% of the house market to France by the end of the year, ABTOFchairman Warren Sandral predicted.
He estimated the market leader controlled about 30% of the market through its ownership of Chez Nous, Country Cottages in France, as well as recently acquired Simply Travel and Headwater Holidays, which both offer programmes to the country.
However, Airtours UKLeisure Group chief executive Peter Rothwell said he was also keen to acquire tour operators to France.
The operator already owns self-drive camping specialist EuroSites.
Thomson is also believed to be interested in acquiring camping specialist Eurocamp, which bought Keycamp Holidays last year and controls over50% of the camping market to France.
Sandral described the France market as the “great buy-up of 1999” but said the good, independent operator will survive.