Downturn hits travel footfall

THE continuing high-street downturn is hitting footfall in travel, the industry has warned.

Latest figures show the overall retail industry is down 5.2% on footfall, which points to a gloomy Christmas trading period, according to customer counting analyst FootFall.

Marketing manager Natasha Burton said: “Many retailers remain fearful Christmas will not be enough to bolster consumer confidence, left flagging from increasing levels of personal debt and uncertainty over the economy.”

Superbreak sales director Ian Mounser said the company’s field sales team – which hits 300 agents a week – reported shops have been quieter. He added: “It’s a challenging time. Like most suppliers, we want to see travel agencies busier.”

Advantage managing director John McEwan said, overall, the market is 10% down on passenger numbers, but prices are holding up. He said winter products remain slow.

“The high street is having its softest time for 10 years, and the travel sector has been affected,” added McEwan.

Johnston Stevens Travel general manager Peter Cansick said: “It’s a general problem for the high street now. We are coming up to Christmas; it might be consumers are reluctant to commit themselves to long-term debt.”

Cosmos commercial and product director Stuart Jackson said: “People are researching things differently, using the web and doing more research from their desk. They are doing this away from the high street, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t booking in shops.”

Midconsort chief executive Charles Eftichiou said: “It’s a general problem for the high street but it’s fuelled by mass-market operators continuing to sell more product direct.”