| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 24/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 41 |
| Copyright: Other |
SPAIN
Despite a poor start, operators are confident bookings to Spain will recover as the season peaks.
Spain is set to retain 44% of the summer 2000 UK package market despite sluggish sales for May and June. Spanish Tourist Office UK director Manuel Butler said package bookings in the shoulder season were down 5% on last year but an expected increase during the high season should put sales back on target.“I am confident there will be an increase of between 2% and 5% in July and August compared with last year,” he said.
He added that an increase in independent travel would create an overall growth of 4%-5% in UK sales.
“We think the independent market is going up by 10% for summer 2000,” he said.
“Scheduled flights between the UK and Spain have increased by more than 10%.”
Operators are also optimistic about summer 2000 after a slow start. First Choice Summer Sun marketing manager Tim Williamson said: “We are 8% up in Spain on last year.
“The Costa Dorada is doing well because of Port Aventura, Majorca is doing well and we’ve seen a late comeback with the Costa Brava.”
Thomson general manager for mainland Spain Stephen Lane said sales were in line with expectations, with Majorca, Ibiza and Benidorm still top performers. Cosmos too reports the Balearics, especially Majorca, as selling well.
But Minorca is also strong, according to Magic of Spain product executive Nick Barnes.
“It’s usually a family market but we’ve found that adults are going there in the slower months – May and June did very well and September/October is looking good,” he said.
In the independent market, Andalucia is still a favourite.
Mundi Color sales and marketing manager Tony Maniscalco said: “It’s neck and neck with Marbella.”
Chris Meyrick, commercial manager of Citalia’s Real Spain brand, said Andalucia was closely followed by Majorca, Catalonia and Costa Brava.
All operators attribute slow sales to the growing trend towards late bookings. Unijet sales and marketing director Alan Hopley said:”Summer 2000 has not been an easy year for anyone – it’s a tough marketplace and it’s very, very late.”
Unijet’s sales to mainland Spain have increased by 30% following its acquisition by First Choice.
“People wait until the last minute to book their holidays because the perception is that there’s a lot of availability left at discounted prices.”
But it’s not just discounts that encourage late bookings. Unicorn Holidays, which specialises in tailor-made holidays to Spain and Portugal, reports that business for September, its most popular month, is worse than expected because clients have not thought about their holidays yet. Managing director Jim Southon said: “People make their holiday decisions later and later. When they come to us, they want to go in about two weeks’ time.”
A more positive trend affecting the Spanish market is the popularity of short breaks.
“Customer surveys show people are taking shorter and more frequent vacations,” said the STO’s Butler.
City-break specialists, such as Travelscene, have expanded their programmes to meet increased demand. Commercial manager Paul Stanley said:”We’ve introduced cities including Palma, Bilbao and Santiago.”
Valencia too, the home of paella, is becoming a popular choice. Cresta brand manager Ian Lomas said:”Valencia is now well and truly on the map – partly due to the exploits of its football team in this year’s European Cup.”
He added that its year-round potential, combined with the nearby beach and the City of the Arts and Sciences development, were also major pull factors. Cresta offers a three night break in the city leading in at £309.
Kirker Holidays sales director Ted Wake was similarly enthusiastic. “Since the introduction of Valencia last November, it has become clear that Spain’s third city is able to satisfy the most discerning visitor.”
A three-night stay at the three-star Ad Hoc hotel leads in from £355 until November 18.
Following Cosmos’ launch of Quickies – two to three-night resort holidays – last December, other long-stay operators are also turning their attention to shorter packages.
Self-catering specialist the Individual Travellers Company is planning a programme of short breaks for 2001 and JMC Holidays has introduced three and four-night breaks in Majorca, Ibiza, Benidorm and Tenerife to its Summer Sun 2001 programme.
A four-night break at the Hotel Rosamar, Benidorm, departing October 9 2001 will lead in at £199 per person including half-board and return flights from Gatwick.
What’s on the menu?Fans of paella should head to Valencia, the home of the popular Spanish dish