USstrife delays launch of new Citalia product

USstrife delays launch of new Citalia product

Report by JULIETDENNIS

De Simone: prepared to wait

CITALIA is reviewing its plans to launch a new product for 2002 in light of recent events in the US.

At the launch of its Italy 2002 brochure, managing director Camillo De Simone said: “We intended to launch a new programme this year, but under the circumstances we are waiting to decide whether we should go ahead.” But the operator said it would be pushing ahead with plans to expand its reservations unit. “We had such huge demand this year we were short of staff. We are still going to increase staff levels which shows we have confidence in next year,” added De Simone.

He said he thought Citalia would finish the financial year 25% up on last year, and it is targeting 20% growth for 2002. Breaks to Italy and Spain are anticipated to benefit from the fall-off in travel to the US.

The Italy 2002 brochure has been increased from 224 to 252 pages, with private villas in Tuscany increased from three to 11 following 100% occupancy this year. Properties have been added in Sorrento, Positano on the Amalfi Coast, and Capri.

The luxury five-bedroom Villa Sas Paradisos, overlooking Porto Cervo, Sardinia, is also new. If it sells well, other deluxe villas could be added in thesecond-edition brochure.

Citalia has increased flight capacity to Pisa with a larger British Airways aircraft, with room for 147 passengers rather than 110. Capacity to Sardinia has been increased, with an allocation on Monarch Airlines, and Cardiff to Naples departures have been added.

Programme director for Italy Ann Malone said capacity could be cut if there is a slowdown in bookings for next year.

“There is time to realign the programme. We will be keeping an eye on the situation,” she said.

Rail options to Italy are available for those put off flying by recent events in the US.