Going Places merges with Co-op Travel

2010 was a disaster for some travel operators but Pure France has yet another record year

"This year was the worst any of us in the industry has ever experienced, and personally I think it has been worse than 9/11", said Thomas Cook's chief executive, Manny Fontenla-Novoa, in a recent interview with the UK’s "Guardian" newspaper.

He was talking about the travel business in 2010 as he announced the merger between Thomas Cooks’ travel agency chain, Going Places, and rival Cooperative Travel. Many industry experts see this as a shotgun wedding as the mainstream travel business consolidates. Global recession and the volcanic ash cloud have hit long-haul bookings.

In more selective travel markets, some niche travel operators are doing well. Here at Pure France (www.purefrance.com), 2010 has been yet another record year with reservations over 4 million euros.

We attribute this to a unique mix of quality homes and a high level of customer service, treating both owners and holiday makers as we would wish to be treated ourselves.

As a French villa rental specialist, Pure France is one of very few operators to be correctly licensed and bonded in France. Foreign-based competitors operate outside French law.

Bookings for 2011 are already doing well and we’re looking for more high quality villas to satisfy demand.