Foot and mouth crisis to boost overseas sales

Foot and mouth crisis to boost overseas sales

Play away:the foot and mouth crisis is likely to see families shunning the UK in favour of European packages

THE foot and mouth crisis is likely to boost sales of overseas packages this summer, Cosmos managing director Nigel Wright has predicted.

Speaking at the launch of the 2002 brochures, he said the demise of the domestic market should result in more people heading for mainland Europe this summer.

“It is very unfortunate for the domestic market and we are not trying to exploit the situation,” said Wright. “But common sense suggests that if people are not going to UK destinations, some will head overseas for their holiday this year.

“We are all running businesses so we will gratefully accept the extra sales which might come our way.”

He said the sensible capacity levels for this year should also ensure a decent summer for the industry.

“The share prices of the public companies are going up which suggests the City is confident of a good season,” he added.

But on a more downbeat note, Wright urged tour operators not to hike capacity next year even if the predictions of a bumper year are realised.

“There is a feeling that a recession is round the corner which we must be prepared for,” he said.