Operators gets flexible with new deals

Diving product by Teresa Machan

Operators gets flexible with new deals

Wide choice gives dive enthusiasts more freedom to adapt their holidays

FLEXIBILITY is a keyword with this season’s Red Sea product, with more operators looking to offer the client more choice and freedom with their dive holidays.

Cresta launched its 2001 Worldwide brochure last month using four and five-star hotels in each of the main Red Sea resorts.

Worldwide marketing executive Maria Llinares said the operator is targeting the upper end of the market.

“The programme is based on flights with scheduled airlines, allowing complete flexibility, whether for a city break, beach holiday or tailor-made Egypt multi-centre including a Nile cruise,” she said.

Cresta has seven nights’ half-board at the Sofitel Coralia Hurghada from £711 per person from Heathrow or Manchester with Egypt Air in January and February.

A number of multi-centre options are featured in the Kuoni Dive the World 2001 brochure, such as a fully flexible two-centre Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh package.

This has been made possible by scheduled flights with Egyptair.

Product coordinator diving, Daniel Le Merle said:”Our thrust this season is to be totally flexible but still at great value.

“The Red Sea is charter based but Kuoni has the advantage of being one of the few operators to use scheduled flights with Egyptair.”

Harlequin specialists markets manager Lea Mcarthur said the new Ritz-Carlton resort at Sharm el Sheikh has proved hugely popular but that flights are tight. “It’s a spectacular property and we have the clients prepared to pay the rates – the problem is flight capacity,” she said.

Logistics are a big challenge for the resort and Ritz-Carlton is working closely with the Egyptian government to secure more air capacity for scheduled flights.

A spokesperson said: “The Ritz-Carlton is a benchmark hotel here and so there are bound to be growing pains. But by the time the other luxury hotels arrive we should be ahead of the game.”

Harlequin has seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the Ritz-Carlton Sharm el Sheikh from £519 per person including flights from Gatwick.

One week plus a week on a luxury liveaboard costs £1,285 per person.

Divers delight: with its own diving reef, the Mövenpick Golf Hotel and Resort has appeal for divers looking to combine a diving break with a trip to the Pyramids