THOMSON RUMOURS
Thomson Travel Group has refused to comment on increasing industry speculation that it is to acquire camping specialist Eurocamp. The deal would give Thomson leadership in the UK short-breaks market as Eurocamp also owns Superbreak. Eurocamp was unavailable for comment.
REGAL REDUNDANCIES
Regal Hotel Group expects to make 10 County Hotels staff redundant as a result of its purchase of the company (Travel Weekly January 13), either due to duplication or because County staff are unwilling to relocate to Regal’s offices in Newbury next month.
ABTA’S ROBIN DIES
ABTA Benevolent Fund chairman Sydney Robin has died. The former Global Tours chairman set up the ABTA fund in 1988 after concerns struggling agents were not being provided for.
GIBRALTAR SALES HIT
The recent row over who owns Gibraltar has had an effect on city-break bookings to the region. Travelscene sales director John Harding said: “People decided where to have a short break just a few weeks before the time of departure so they are simply looking at the trouble there and deciding to go somewhere else.”
MANCHESTER BID
Manchester Airport has been named as the preferred bidder for Humberside International Airport. If the deal progresses, just under 83% of the airport’s shares, now owned by Kingston Upon Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council, will be controlled by Manchester Airport, the remainder being held by North Lincolnshire Council.