| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 28/08/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 2 |
| Copyright: Other |
In our regular market update, high prices arepersisting in the lates market while big discounts for next year are having little impact.
DESPONDENT customers are scouring the high street for late bargains this summer only to be told cheap deals are a thing of the past.Alison Woodrow, manager of Addison Travel in Manchester, said: “People expect prices to be the same for lastminute bookings as they were three years ago.
“They try six agents to find that prices are the same. We are just lucky if we are the last agent on their route – then they will book with us.”
She was sceptical about the 30% discounts being offered by multiples for next year, saying: “The brochures have come out far too early. People are still paying off this year’s holiday, they are not interested in next year.”
Buckinghamshire-based Olney Travel’s Brenda Urwin agreed: “It is very slow. Our experience is the prices in August have just been too expensive.”
Late deals are few and far between but Jane Wright, an agent with Apple Travel Agency, in London has started to see bargains for September. Reigate Travel in Surrey has seen business treble with the closure in the town of its three main rivals including Lunn Poly and Going Places.
Manager John Searle said:”There are many discounts on cruises. P&Ois offering 20% off next year’s bookings.”