“By giving access to our holidays and our platform, travel agents have an additional option and that is good for the industry and for customers,” he added.
“Travel agents will book holidays if the commercials work for them and if the product is good – these are the two things we focus relentlessly on.”
Morton’s comments come as On the Beach is set to deliver its “biggest summer ever” after posting a group profit of £58.8m and earnings before tax, exceptional items, share based payments, depreciation and amortisation of £8.1 million – up 93% on last year – in the six months up to 31 March.
According to Morton, the OTA will thrive this summer thanks to continued trading momentum and its recent partnership with Ryanair, which has seen the company start selling Ryanair flights and ancillaries four months after suing the carrier over Covid refund chargebacks.
“Rather than letting a judge decide how we should work together, we’ve got around a table and come to an agreement that works for us, them and the customers,” Morton concluded. “It’s really positive news for us and the industry.”
