CRESTA has admitted that the hype surrounding demand for Italy in 2000 is unlikely to be matched by the number of bookings.
Although the operator said numbers will be up, they will not hit the number originally anticipated.
The warning came as Cresta released its millennium Italy programme.
Brand manager Ian Lomas said: “There is some uncertainty as to what the Holy Year will bring for UK operators in terms of capacity problems as there has been an enormous amount of hype surrounding the jubilee in Italy.
“It is similar to what we have seen in the UK around New Year’s Eve celebrations. Demand will undoubtedly be stronger than in previous years, but probably not to the scale previously thought.”
New in the programme are hotels in Tuscany, the Venice Lido and at the Forte Village Resort on Sardinia, while capacity has been increased in Turin, Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, Bologna and Naples.
Lomas said the focus on the regions has proved successful with more customers staying longer.
Airtours-owned Cresta has also increased charter options on Airtours International from Manchester and Gatwick to Naples and Verona and Glasgow and East Midlands to Naples. Prices lead in at £236 for three nights at the Delle Nazione in Milan.
Meanwhile, Cresta has redesigned its France brochure by splitting accommodation into two main sections – hotels and self catering – to make it easier for agents and customers.
Brand manager Sarah Aulton said most holidaymakers to France know the type of accommodation they want.
Self-catering short breaks have been added for 2000 while budget Go As You Please packages are also available.
Capacity has been increased as its fastest growing regions in Provence, the Riviera and Normandy, with emphasis on the upper end of the market.