| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 22/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 51 |
| Copyright: Other |
High bookings weather the storm
Product update
Despite a rainy season, visitor numbers are continuing to rise
CHANNEL Islands tour operators are reporting strong bookings despite the bad weather lasting until the end of last month that kept visitors away.Jersey Tourism marketing director David de Carteret said: “Numbers were poor from January to April due to the weather and the post-millennium factor. But bookings from the end of April to June are up on last year, so if it continues, we’ll be alright.”
Total visitor numbers last year were 524,000, down 3.5% on 1998.
However, Thomas Cook Channel Islands product manager Andy Noble said the operator’s bookings are up 15% on last year in a market that is more than 5% down. He declined to give exact figures.
The operator features all five islands – Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Herm and Sark – with prices from £132 for two nights at the Brookfield guest house inSt Helier including travel by sea with Condor Ferries.
Special features include wedding packages for £315 per couple and pre-bookable golf at Les Mielles Golf and Country Club on Jersey, costing £20 for 18 holes during the week and £23 at weekends.
Islanders managing director John Penson said heavy marketing of short breaks has helped to maintain bookings this year.
The short-break operator regularly issues special-deal flyers – currently two nights on Jersey cost from £159 – to entice the last-minute decisions that have become the norm with Channel Islands bookings. Many operators report that bookings can be as close as the day before departure.
Penson said the Islanders brochure has doubled in size this year and now offers more than 120 hotels on all five islands. Prices are based on accommodation only from two to seven nights, and Islanders offers its own airline charters from Bournemouth, ferry crossings and car rental that can be added to the stay.
Jersey Travel Service product manager Jo-Ann Canevali said a distribution deal through Lunn Poly is helping to keep bookings to both Jersey and Guernsey “significantly” up this year. She added that the operator is seeing growing interest in its expanded range of special-interest breaks, which this year include walking and cycling holidays.
Camping on Guernsey has also been added to the programme.
Premier Holidays features around 100 hotels on Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Herm and Sark, as well as a range of self-catering accommodation on the two larger islands and camping on Jersey. Travel is available by air or sea.
Special features for Jersey include a wedding package from £299 a couple and cycle hire – £30 for three days and £40 for seven days
Travelsmith offers a selection of tours of Jersey and Guernsey alongside the standard hotel package. Itineraries include the seven-night Jersey Highlights from £389 and week-long Guernsey Bailiwick, which takes in day trips to Herm and Sark and costs from £517.
Preston Holidays is pushing family holidays this year, with a family room index in the brochure highlighting which of the hotels featured has rooms for parents and two or three children.
The operator, which features Jersey and Guernsey only, is also offering free sea travel for children from June 5 to July 13 and September 4 to October 31 and free accommodation for children at selected hotels.
Travelscene added Jersey and Guernsey to its short-break programme this year.
The operator offers a total of five hotels on the islands including Jersey’s three-star Hotel La Bonne Vie in St Helier, which costs from £181 per person for two nights bed and breakfast and flights.
Guernsey’s four-star St Pierre Park costs from £336 per person for two nights.
Jersey: marketing of short breaks has helped maintain bookings
selling points
n The Channel Islands are less than 1hr flying time from the south coast. Flights are from most regional airports, which make the islands ideal for a short break.
n The islands are part of the British Isles, so there is no need to take a passport. But they are actually closer to France and place names and street signs give a flavour of the continent.
n UK currency is valid but Jersey and Guernsey mint their own notes and coins. Visitors will acquire local currency so they need to change it before returning home.
n The islands are not part of the European Union, so visitors can still buy duty-free when travelling to Jersey or Guernsey.
n There is no VAT on the islands, so goods are cheaper.
n Car rental costs about £14 a day in high summer. The speed limit on Jersey is a maximum 40mph, on Guernsey, it is 30mph. Getting around is also easy as all the signs are in English.
n Island hopping is a good option for a multi-centre holiday. Visitors can also take in St Malo, using Condor Ferries’ fast-craft service to the French port.
n St Helier, Jersey’s capital, is officially the sunniest town in the UK – but to avoid disappointment, remind clients that it can rain sometimes.
in brief
n islanders lowers delay time for insurance claims
Islanders has negotiated a shorter period before travel delay is paid out on the insurance in its brochure. Instead of the normal 12hrs, clients can make a claim after 6hrs. There are no excesses. The insurance is arranged by Aon Cork Bays and Fisher.
n jersey travel service adds all-inclusive property
Jersey Travel Service has added an all-inclusive property to its hotel selection on Jersey. Packages at the three-star Hotel de la Plage include full breakfast, packed or buffet lunch, five-course evening meal with unlimited drinks and return flights from £494 for seven nights.
n albion holidays to sell brochure in-house
Albion Holidays, part of Midlands Co-op, has brought its Jersey and Guernsey brochure in-house this year, selling only through its own agencies. It was previously racked by selected independents.
Wheely good:cycle tours are popular