TUI to Cut 2,000 Jobs

Europe's largest travel company, TUI, plans to slash around 2,000 jobs in Britain, despite doubling its profits in 2004. TUI manager Peter Rothwell, who is responsible for the German firm's Northern Europe division, confirmed the news in an interview with Britain's Sunday Times. He said that the cuts came in response to increasing competition from discount airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet as well as the growing trend of passengers booking their own trips online. Britain is TUI's second most important market, after Germany. Around 13,500 people work for the company there.