In 2017, the travel agency chain Ticket achieved its best results to date.
Operating profit was SEK 89.2 million (75.7). Stable in-store sales combined with strong online growth meant that sales increased by 20 percent to SEK 6,932.2 million (5,758.7), beating the 2016 record by a wide margin.
– It is fantastic that we have once again managed to achieve a record result. Ticket's competent and committed employees are the key to our success and the whole reason why Ticket continues to grow and take market share in a highly competitive industry, says Katarina Sjögren Petrini, CEO of Ticket Privatresor.
Ticket operates travel agency operations in stores and online under the Ticket and Airngo brands, with Sweden as its largest market. Sales in Sweden increased by 11 percent compared to 2016. For private travel sales via travel agencies, including purely online players, the Swedish Travel Agency Association's statistics showed a sales increase of 5 percent. Norway, Ticket's second largest market, also set a new record and increased sales by 22 percent in local currency, compared to the previous year. Additional sales have also improved, which contributed to the strong result.
Ticket's omnichannel strategy that includes store, phone and online is the core of the customer promise in Sweden and Norway, and ensures that all customers receive the same high level of service regardless of booking channel.
– Our successful omnichannel strategy is important for our profitable growth. More online customers are discovering the benefits of Ticket stores and the high level of service they receive from our skilled travel salespeople. In addition, this strategy means that we can maintain a very high level of availability, says Katarina Sjögren Petrini.
In 2017, Ticket's websites continued to develop in terms of functionality, user-friendliness and the way they work with marketing and optimization. As a result, online sales increased by 38 % compared to the previous year. Ticket's customer club, which was launched in 2016, continues to grow and currently has over 215,000 members. Furthermore, Ticket acquired the domains Charter.se and Charter.no, which are price comparison sites for charter and package holidays, thereby strengthening its position in the sun and water category.
