SPAIN’S Costa Brava is being dropped by First Choice
for summer 2005 because of poor-quality hotels and the growth of no-frills
airlines into the region.
In a further setback to Spanish tourist chiefs, Club
18-30 is axeing Benidorm and Cosmos is “reviewing” Costa Brava.
The wake-up call comes as hoteliers at the Spanish
Tourism Exchange for Professionals trade show were warned customers would “vote
with their feet” following a 14% rise in holiday prices.
Figures to the end of February show Spain is down 23%
in a market down 12% overall.
First Choice product director Tim
Williamson also warned of “destination fatigue” as he announced First Choice’s
entire Costa Brava programme would go because “bedstock has not kept pace with
the market”.
He urged Spain to provide “something different or
great value” – themed hotels or quality three-star self-catering or
aparthotels.
“It’s not just about building more premium beds. Even
the value customers are raising their expectations. In many parts of Spain
these properties are being developed – in the Costa Brava they aren’t.”
Spanish Tourist Office director Manuel Butler
admitted: “This is not good news but I think the hoteliers are moving in the
right direction.”
Williamson said packages and charter flight-only were
declining to Spain with operators feeling the strain in shoulder seasons.
Flight capacity to Gerona has grown from 300,000
passengers in 1993 to 1.5 million last year, following Ryanair’s entry.
Both Thomas Cook, which sends 23,000 UK passengers to
Costa Brava annually, and MyTravel, admitted the area was “lagging behind” but
neither are pulling out. TUI sends 60,000 UK passengers annually but said it
has good properties and would not drop it.
TUI UK managing director Chris Mottershead said:
“Spain is proving more difficult to sell but we still sell more there than
anywhere else.”
Thomas Cook’s Club 18-30 has dropped Benidorm as it
aims to boost product quality. Overseas director Paul Little said: “Benidorm is
like Blackpool, it’s ‘kiss me quick’.”
Other destinations to go include Lloret de Mar and
Bodrum, Turkey. They represent a total of 7,000 passengers.
Thomas Cook UK chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa
warned Spanish authorities customers will opt for cheaper alternatives –
Turkey, Croatia, Bulgaria and the Caribbean.
“Customers are chasing value, predominantly that’s
price.”
But Spanish hotel chain Barcelo Hotels and Resorts
co-president Simon-Pedro Barcelo said: “Travellers to Spain will be happy to
pay a couple of pounds more because the service will be good.”