| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 10/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 4 |
| Copyright: Other |
Airtours strikes out into Brazilian market
Airtours is breaking new ground with the launch of its second-edition brochures for 2001. Jane Archer reports
AIRTOURS is striking out into a market that has been the preserve of Kuoni and Bales with the launch of the first charter programme to Brazil.The operator has launched a dedicated programme to the northeast coast of the country, using an Airtours International Airbus A330 whole-plane charter from Gatwick to Salvador in the Bahai region of Brazil.
The series will run from May to October next year, giving Airtours a total 10,500 seats to sell over the summer season.
Sales, marketing and development director Ed Sims admitted it was a bold move to launch into a new destination with a stand-alone brochure, but said Airtours is known for opening up new destinations to the charter market, such as Barbados and Cancun.
“By flying from Gatwick, we are striking into the heartland of Bales and Kuoni,” he said.
The flight time to Salvador is 9hrs.
The lead-in price on the programme, on sale from July 13, is £599 per person for seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the Pousadas Sobrado da Vila/Pousada Porto da Lua.
The price includes an early-booking discount of £150 per person for bookings made before September.
“That is £400-£500 cheaper than the scheduled operators,” Sims said.
“An Airtours’ 14-day tour-and-stay package costs from £1,549 per person.”
Sims said the area has a good hotel infrastructure as it is a major holiday destination for the US and domestic market, with properties including international names such as Renaissance and Marriott.
“The hotels are totally targeted to bringing in repeat visitors,” he added.
“They are catering for tourists, not travellers. We have had them checked out by health and safety officers so we are confident about the quality.”
Sims said the Brazil programme, which features seven resorts and a selection of tours, could be extended into winter 2001/02 if it proved to be successful for the company.
Airtours factfile
New brochures: Brazil and Family First.
Summer 2001 first-edition launches:Prestige, Portugal and Madeira, and Cyprus.
Summer 2001 second-edition launches: Summer Sun, Aspro Holidays for less, Turkey, Greece.
Early-booking discounts: up to £300 per couple.
Time to samba: sporting Brazilian football shirts, Sims, right, with sales director Steve Barrass launch Airtours’ pioneering programme to the country