ebookers breathes new life into tourism with strong results

NEWS Online travel agents ebookers has reported positive second quarter results - bucking the general downturn in the tourism industry which has been laid low by global unrest and the Sars virus. While the second quarter is traditionally a slow one for ebookers, revenue for the company was up 67 per cent to £118m, and profits doubled to £15m, compared to a figure of £7.5m for the same period last year. But it's not all good news, it has been held back to a degree by the fear and uncertainty which has besieged the airline industry in recent years. The company has seen its revenue from some long-haul destinations fall. And it's not just holidaymakers' hard-earned cash that's been helping to boost ebookers' takings – the group reckons cost savings this quarter from business process outsourcing to India have saved £1.4m. Nigel Addison Smith, ebookers' CFO, said in a statement: "These results highlight our bottom line focus of tight cost control combined with internet driven top line growth." More good news is expected for the online travel sector over the next couple of days, with UK dot-com darling lastminute.com set to unveil its results, which are expected to be very strong, tomorrow.