ebookers' centre for Dublin

A LOW cost-base and Government grants have enticed online travel agency ebookers to set up a new international call centre in Dublin.

Chairman and chief executive of the London-based company, Dinesh Dhamija, disclosed yesterday ebookers’ intention to develop a second multi-lingual customer service centre in Dublin: “Ireland offers both a lower cost base, supported by development grants from the Irish government, as well as full multi-lingual capabilities that can service all of our European markets.” ebookers already employ 70 of their 950 staff in Ireland.

ebookers said it was taking business from more traditional travel agents as it showed it was cutting losses and growing sales.

The group said pre-tax losses for the three months to June 30 came in at £3.6 million compared with £8.6 million the same period the previous year, although little changed on the £3.5 million recorded in the first quarter.

Turnover was £50.9 million, up from £40.1 million last year, while gross sales jumped 17% on the previous quarter to £71 million.

Shares in the group rose 5% to 250p in early trading following the announcement.

Chief finance officer Nigel Addison Smith said the group was benefiting from a shift to booking via the web: “We are taking considerable market share from more traditional travel agents as more people book online.” For the half-year, pre-tax losses were cut back to £7.1 million, from £17.2 million last time, while sales rose to £96 million from £73.5 million.

Analysts are predicting the group should be profitable at some point next year.

The group, which is based in London but sells across Europe, is aiming to achieve profitability through cost efficiencies, such as last year’s move to set up its back office in India.