Gullivers says Thai sales up

Listed company Gullivers Travel does not expect to be greatly affected by the Boxing Day tsunami disaster.

The main impact for New Zealand tourists was at Phuket, in southern Thailand, but Gullivers said the peak season for Kiwis travelling there was June to October.

The few Gullivers customers in the area at the time of the disaster were accounted for quickly.

Gullivers said yesterday that it had been closely monitoring the effects of the tsunami on business, customers and suppliers, and had been in close contact with its main Thai partners.

Despite the tragedy, Gullivers' sales to Thailand this month have been higher than in January last year.

The company said 98 per cent of all affected customers had chosen to make alternative travel arrangements rather than cancel their bookings.

Managing director Andrew Bagnall said this was consistent with the company's experience of customers' reactions to other major world events.

Gullivers listed on the New Zealand and Australian stock exchanges last month.

Its shares closed 6c higher at $1.52 yesterday.

- NZPA