Thomson and First Choice owner TUI Travel reported another year of record results today as its new line of luxury all-inclusive deals kept up demand for package holidays.

Thomson and First Choice parent TUI Travel said the recent heatwave knocked UK sales growth, but insisted summer trading was strong thanks to growing consumer confidence.

A five-year-old British girl who died in a pool at a hotel in Egypt has been named by her family, according to reports.

A number of British people are being treated in hospital after their coach crashed in Kenya early this morning.

A travel company is advertising for a waterslide tester.

The FTSE 100 Index pushed away from the 6000 barrier today as miners surged following a commodities rally that saw the price of oil hit fresh highs.

A clearer picture on consumer spending may emerge this week as firms including Diageo are among those due to issue updates.

The London market ended the quarter in the red today amid disquieting US economic news, but it has still posted the biggest three-month rise in its history.

Thomas Cook today said a flurry of late bookings in the UK – particularly for breaks in Turkey and Egypt – helped it meet targets for summer trading.

Stocks rebounded out of the red today on hopes that the worst of the recession may be over on both sides of the Atlantic.

Hopes from the Bank of England that the UK economy may be over the worst of its slump helped the FTSE 100 Index gain ground today.

The FTSE 100 Index edged closer to the 4500 barrier today as stocks were spurred on by overnight advances on hopes of a global economic recovery.

Marks & Spencer sparked a share slide for major British retailers today after the high street giant said profits plunged 40% and cut its shareholder payout.

Four new cases of swine flu were confirmed in the UK today, taking the British total to 107.

Cruise giant Carnival today said it would take a financial hit after the Mexico swine flu outbreak forced it to change routes for 27 ships.

Investors took home some of their profits today as the London market slipped into the red and financial stocks fell after last week’s surge.

TUI Travel today said UK and Ireland profits more than doubled after it axed loss-making routes and cut costs in last year’s First Choice merger.

Some of the 85,000 holidaymakers stranded overseas following the collapse of Britain’s third largest tour operator are trickling home today.

The collapse of tour operator XL is the latest blow to the UK air travel industry, which has endured a torrid summer with a number of companies closing down.

Holidaymakers have been left stranded after tour operator XL Leisure Group went into administration and grounded all flights.

UK package holiday company MyTravel today lost a claim for compensation against the European Commission for blocking a merger with rival tour operator First Choice.

London’s leading share index sank into the red today as a shock rise in UK inflation unnerved investors.

A sharp jump in inflation that dampened hopes of an interest rate cut next month pushed the London market onto the back foot today.

Thomson and First Choice owner TUI Travel today said trading remained “buoyant” as households showed no sign of ditching summer travel plans.

Thomson tour holiday operator TUI Travel today announced plans to close 100 of its UK-based travel stores.

BUDGET Travel has been sold by its German owners in a multi-million euro deal to Icelandic travel firm Primera.

Banking group Barclays led a rally for London’s financial stocks today as investors cast aside last month’s credit concerns.

Thomson tour company TUI today said difficult market conditions in the UK had caused wider first quarter losses at its Northern Europe division.

The FTSE 100 Index made strong gains as London investors followed the lead of counterparts on Wall Street today.

First Choice Holidays today said soaring fuel costs and the recent doubling in air passenger duty were hitting profit margins at the group.

Staff at hundreds of travel agents could lose their jobs following the creation of a massive £12bn (€17.6bn) UK holiday company.

The London market began the week on the front foot today driven on by deals and takeover speculation.

The London market today lost some of its recent gains, as weakness in the oil and gas sector dragged the blue-chip stock index down.

Rival British tour operators MyTravel and Thomas Cook are to join forces after revealing plans for a £2.8bn (€4.2bn) merger today in a move that has sparked fears of job losses.

Vodafone steadied the FTSE 100 Index after investors gave the thumbs-up to the mobile phone group’s deal to bolster its presence in India.

More airlines are cancelling or diverting flights from Bristol International Airport today following runway concerns.

UK travel and tour operator First Choice was today preparing for life with its new business, internet-based hotel booking site Laterooms.com.

Travel and tour operator First Choice was today said to be preparing a bid for internet-based hotel booking site Laterooms.com.

Bidding for the mainstream holiday packages business of UK travel company First Choice today looked to have become a straight fight between MyTravel and Thomas Cook.

UK tour operator First Choice Holidays posted an increase in profits today as even more holidaymakers packed their bags for long-haul destinations.

A £1.2bn (€1.8bn) takeover of RHM by Premier Foods caused shares in the food sector to surge today.

THOMAS COOK was said to be eyeing up the £500 million (€740m) package holiday arm of First Choice Holidays.

First Choice Holidays today said it was in discussions with a number of suitors over the sale of its package holidays business.

Tour operator First Choice Holidays today admitted bird flu scares in the eastern Mediterranean coupled with recent airport security alerts would impact on full-year profits.