FIRST Choice is aiming to develop its budget Sunstart brand in Scotland with the launch of a dedicated summer 2000 brochure for north of the border.
The operator has also moved the brand into winter for the first time by releasing a Canaries programme for 2000/01.
Product director Kyle Haughton said the Scottish move follows strong sales from agents in Scotland.
He said: “We want to build on that support by providing agents with a brochure geared specifically for Scottish departures.”
The summer programme features Majorca, Ibiza, Minorca, The Costas, Algarve, Malta, Cyprus, Greece and Turkey. Departures are from Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
In Sunstart’s debut winter programme, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria are featured.
Haughton added the expansion into winter is a natural progression for the brand.
“The couples market is large in winter and Sunstart is mainly targeted at couples on their first holiday,” he said. “People also tend to spend less money on winter holidays and Sunstart is aimed at the price-conscious end of the market.”
Another new winter 2000/01 brochure is a standalone Indian Ocean and Kenya programme featuring Goa, Sri Lanka, Kenya and the Maldives.
Haughton said the launch follows the growing popularity of the regions and demand from agents.
“All the destinations have been successful in our Tropical Shores brochure which prompted us to introduce a standalone programme,” he said. “The winter is dominated by the Caribbean but we are seeing an increasing market for the Indian Ocean. We believe there are still huge opportunities for growth in the long-haul market.”
Kenya is now creeping back to the capacity of two years ago, he added.
Safaris include the seven-night Ngorongoro trip taking in the Serengeti and a game drive in the Hilton Game sanctuary. The lead-in price is £1,639.
Operator: First Choice.
Brochures: Florida, Tropical, Weddings – year round.
Sunstart Scotland edition – first-edition summer.
Cruises – second-edition summer.
Greece, Turkey, Villas and Apartments – third-edition summer.
Indian Ocean and Kenya, Sunstart Canaries – first-edition winter 2000/01.
On sale: December 16.
Example price: £169 per person for seven-nights self-catering in Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria.