REDSEA

REDSEA

The region is steadily gaining ground on perennial winter favourites such as the Canaries and operators are responding.

The Red Sea is set to make a huge splash with the latest range of winter 2000/2001 programmes.

Established operators are jumping in feet first with new destinations and expanded product, while newcomers to the market are testing the water with properties and dive packages in established resorts such as Sharm el Sheikh.

Once considered solely as a diving holiday location, the Red Sea is fast gaining a reputation as a good value stand-alone destination, with the addition of scheduled flights and increased holiday flexibility. A number of operators, such as Regal and Thomas Cook Holidays now cater heavily for families.

Goldenjoy is creating the biggest waves this season, launching Manchester Airport’s first direct service to Sharm el Sheikh on October 19. This new flight is a reflection of demand for the Red Sea area both for diving, and as a winter alternative to destinations such as the Canaries.

Marketing manager Goldenjoy Steve Cooper said: “This follows extensive research into the sustainability of a Manchester service and demand outweighs the alternative of a second Gatwick charter.”

The operator currently takes around 200 divers a week to the Red Sea in high season and along with its three existing services from Gatwick into Luxor, Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh this additional flight will take passenger levels in the Red Sea market to over 29,000 a year.

Goldenjoy is also spearheading a push into the Red Sea’s “deep south” where the outer reefs and dive sites south of Hurghada offer a number of spectacular unchartered areas.

It has added a new liveaboard, Tiger Lily, from February next year, which will cruise the northern, southern and offshore marine park islands.

Cresta added the Red Sea to its Worldwide brochure in mid-September with a hotel in each of the region’s main resorts. Operators including Kuoni and Discover Red Sea and Egypt are dipping a toe into Eilat and Goldenjoy’s confidence in Sharm el Sheikh is echoed by a host of other operators.

The destination makes its debut in three JMC winter brochures and will be serviced by weekly JMC charter flights from Gatwick.

JMC Holidays product director Alan MacLean said: “It is feasible that Egypt, with its year-round tropical sun and warm waters, will become a sound winter destination. JMC intends to establish a strong, varied programme in preparation for growing demand.”

Thomas Cook Holidays’ Red Sea product was given its own dedicated brochure for the first time in February this year. A spokeswoman said: “The response has been fantastic, with many resorts booked solid until November.”

Following the brochure’s successful debut, Thomas Cook is expanding allocation for next year in both Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh, and is looking to introduce Marsa Alam, an undeveloped area 125 miles south of Hurghada, to attract more experienced divers.

Eilat’s popularity continues to move from strength to strength. It enjoys a long season, from September until May, and Israel being awash with history, offers a lot of cultural diversions nearby.

Superstar Holidays will be operating direct flights to Eilat on Mondays and Thursdays with El Al between London Heathrow and Ovda and from Manchester to Eilat Central via Tel Aviv.

Superstar Holidays manager Levana Elyahou said: “Due to strong demand last season and continued interest, we are planning an increased capacity this winter. The resort now has 10,000 beds for this season.”

Last week’s political clashes in Israel have not dampened demand. “Agents need not be concerned – Eilat is perfectly safe,” said Elyahou. “The recent problems have all been very localised and occured far from Eilat. We’ve not had a single enquiry – in fact we have very little of October left to sell.

Kuoni expects Eilat to muscle into the operator’s top-five family holiday destinations, while Longwood Holidays is offering nine flights a week there this winter.

Managing director Rafi Caplin said: “We have expanded our capacity to match demand and hope the faith we’re showing in Eilat will be renewed by agents, whose continued support is vital.”

Eilat: operators have boosted flights and beds at the popular resort