| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 19/11/01 |
| Author: | Page Number: 12 |
| Copyright: Other |
Report by Liz Bird
This week: ITC Classics
ITC Classics has high hopes for its new European programme. Launched last month, it offers city breaks and resort-based holidays.
Chairman and managing director Drew Foster is targeting about 10,000 sales in its first year, particularly since the terrorist attacks on September 11 encouraged many Britons to favour short-haul destinations.
However, the cost of a European-based holiday is substantially less than the rest of the operator’s programmes – about £1,250-£1,500 per person against £2,500.
The operator is planning to expand the cities product from mainstream destinations such as Paris, Rome, Venice and Florence. “We want to offer the more fringe cities that have good air access,” he said.
One programme which has fared less well since its launch a few months ago is the operator’s cruise-and-stay product, which was developed in conjunction with Silversea Cruises. Business has been slow since September 11 but Foster expects bookings to recover. Recently the operator booked a month-long, £90,000 cruise-and-stay holiday for one of its clients.