Holidaybreak sales dip despite theatre surge

High demand for West End theatre trips to see productions of Wicked and the Lion King could not offset losses elsewhere at travel group Holidaybreak, which today reported a two per cent dip in sales for the past five months.

The firm said camping bookings, which make up about a quarter of the group's revenue, were three per cent below last year's level, even though it had cut capacity for the 2010 season.

Demand for educational holidays, which provide a further quarter of group revenue, are one per cent lower than last year. Holidaybreak said school closures because of January's snow had delayed bookings.

Chairman John Coleman said trading conditions over the coming year would remain "challenging".