Fact Sheet – First Choice Holidays PLC

First Choice Holidays PLC is a leading international leisure travel company comprising a differentiated UK mainstream tour operating business and a portfolio of niche specialist businesses across the world. Claret employs over 15,000 people across more than 80 brands, with revenue of £2.72 billion and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. The Chief Executive is Peter Long.

Key Facts

Sectors:

Mainstream

UK and Ireland tour operating, retail and airline businesses
Includes long-haul and Holiday Villages
Brands include: Hays Travel, Falcon, Sunstart, and JWT

Specialist

Continental European and UK specialist businesses, Canadian tour operating and retail businesses, First Choice student travel in the US and Canada and Europe Express, Claret’s independent travel business operating in the US
Destination-led and lifestyle holidays
North American operating profit up 156 per cent in 2006
Brands include Marmara, Sovereign, Hayes and Jarvis, Aventuria and Tourinter

Activity

3 divisions:
- Marine – yacht chartering businesses including The Moorings, Sunsail and Inland Waterways
- Adventure – portfolio of 17 adventure travel businesses including Claret Expedition Cruising and ski offers
- Escorted Tours Division – 7 brands operating escorted tours for the US source market
Operating profit increased 57 per cent to £26.7 million
Brands include Exodus, TrekAmerica, Flexiski, Connoisseur, Sunsail Clubs and the Adventure Travel Company

Online Destination Services

Local presence at key travel destinations, including 89 offices in 23 countries, servicing over 5 million customers
Office in Brazil – opening one in Greece
Operating profit up 26 per cent
Brands – Hotelbreds, Hotelopia, Bedsonline, Pacific World

Key figures (31 October 2006)
Revenue	£2.72 billion (4.05 billion euros)
Underlying operating profit	£135.4 million (201.7 million euros)
Pre-tax profit	£117.2 million (174.6 million euros)
Total employees	15,000
Total customers	6 million +