Thomas Cook summer bookings down as Turkey turmoil hits sales

Travel company Thomas Cook (Frankfurt: A0MR3W - news) has reported a fall in summer bookings after recent terror attacks deterred holidaymakers from travelling to the group’s second most popular destination, Turkey.

The tour operator reported a 1% rise in UK bookings, due to more people opting for "staycations", but overall bookings fell 4% during the summer.

A failed military coup in its second-biggest destination, Turkey, as well as heightened fears of a terror attack, caused holidaymakers to change their plans. Excluding Turkey, bookings went up 8%.

Many travellers switched to destinations they deemed safer, such as the Balearic and Canary Islands, and the United States.

The trend away from the previously popular Turkey forced the company to lower its profit guidance range by 3-10% in July.

But chief executive Peter Fankhauser remains optimistic, saying the summer season has "progressed largely as expected".

"There is still a strong desire among holidaymakers to go abroad, with the exception of Turkey, where demand continues to be volatile in light of the terror threats there," he said.

Thomas Cook is expecting to post operating profit of £300m for the 12 months to 30 September.

Bookings for the winter season are broadly in line with last year, the firm said.