AGENTS are
being urged to embrace football fever gripping the nation as it threatens to
kick late bookings into touch.
The trade
reported late bookings were already being hit by the Euro 2004 championships in
Portugal and prices dragged down as holidaymakers stay at home to see how
England fare.
The claims
come as TUI UK said it still has one million holidays left to sell – 35% of its
capacity – for this summer because of excess capacity across the market.
Operators
warned England’s first game yesterday affected Algarve bookings as most
charters fly there on Sundays.
But TUI UK
retail sales director Miles Morgan urged agents not to be defeatist. “Let’s use
this sporting summer to our advantage,” he said.
Lunn Poly staff were kitted out in England shirts and
painted faces, while football-shaped late deal cards were put in windows when
the championships started on Saturday. “You either say ‘let’s pack up and go
home’ or you get behind it,” added Morgan. “When staff have red faces it’ll be
an ice-breaker. There’ll be a rapport with clients.”
Meanwhile,
agents confirmed sales were sluggish. Co-operative Travel Trading Group
commercial general manager Mike Beaumont said sales were down on last year for
the second week running. “It’s a combination of football and good weather.
Lates prices are going down,” he said.
Yorkshire-based
Ryedale Travel managing director Phil Cornelius added: “Football has held back
late sales.”
Cosmos
dropped Algarve lead-in prices to £180 from around £300 for seven nights’
self-catering following a fall in demand and launched football team destination
promotions linked to days they play.
Sales
director Brian Young said: “Families are being held back from going to Portugal
because of football. Prices are aggressive.”