Tim Williamson

TUI customer director Tim Williamson agreed that travel brands need to develop a stronger USP. ,There is a bounce for brands in a strong position [after failures such as XL], initially at least,' he told delegates. ,But as we've seen with the banks, the fact you've been around for a long time doesn't mean a thing, you need something behind it. It's about using your point of fame and creating preference among consumers.'

Williamson is in the process of repositioning the Thomson brand following its merger with First Choice last year.

Marketing director Tim Williamson said: "The new focus for these brands does not mean that First Choice won't sell adult-only holidays and Thomson won't sell to families.

TUI Travel product and marketing director Tim Williamson said It is a game changing aircraft and you could see us begin new routes quickly maybe Bristol Cancun or Cardiff Florida.For on Thursday and Friday, Merrill Lynch and Citigroup release their second quarter earnings figures, providing an indication of the scale of writedowns they have had to absorb since the start of the year.That's the day it's a zoo in here, she says, laughing.

Tim Williamson, Tui Travel customer director, said: "There's absolutely no way the industry should have to increase its contribution."

Tim Williamson, Marketing Director of the firm and Mike Word, Contractual Director, are here by an invitation of the Ministry of Economy.

During their stay there, they are supposed to meet with representatives of the Ministry of Economy, the management of BATA, Air Company Balkan and TIR.Visits to the sea resorts, talks with their management and with the local councils on tourism also await the management of First Choice.

Marketing director Tim Williamson revealed the company's whole marketing strategy is ... more >

The operator's marketing director Tim Williamson said: "Our research rather shocked us by showing that one in five families spend an hour or less together each day at home.Only 15 per cent of families were able to spend four hours or more having fun as a family at home, while on holiday that figure soars to 87 per cent of families."

First Choice, which claims to have more children's clubs than any other operator, found that the average family share only six meals together a week compared to 12 on holiday.

Williamson said at the ABTA Travel Convention in Tenerife: "Families are using holidays to re-engage.There is clearly a big dis-engagement which holidays help resolve."

Between them, First Choice and Thomson - combined under the TUI Travel umbrella - offer more than 16O family clubs.

Williamson said the family sector had always been a crucial part of the business, and that was especially true of First Choice as the market continues to grow.

By Phil Davies Travel Mole website.