FLORIDA tourism bosses are praying today’s launch of action flick Miami Vice will signal a revival in the state’s fortunes.
Visit Florida director Colin Brodie blamed a number of factors for some operators suffering a double-digit drop in sales during peak season.
He said: “Some operators are saying they’re down 10% to 15%. There’s a lot of negativity about.
“I just think it is one of those years when people are staying at home with the weather. Then there was the World Cup. It hasn¹t really taken off.”
Despite the slump, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau director of sales Peter Moss is confident Miami Vice will help the destination end the year 5% up on 2005 with around 300,000 visitors.
“There’s a lot of interest in the film it can’t do us any harm,” he said.
The downturn is not limited to Florida, with some operators saying this is the worst August they have ever seen and predicting a number of collapses this Autumn.
Three operators are believed to have met with bonding authorities in the last week alone.
Worldchoice chairman Colin Heal said the consortium’s bookings are up to 4% down on 2005 with only long-haul sales maintaining revenues.
Advantage managing director John McEwan added: “It’s unusual to see this level of discounting for August. Operators are having to sacrifice margin to get sales.”
Holiday Express is believed to have dropped prices by up to 40% in order to secure sales.
Sunvil Holidays managing director Noel Josephides blamed over-capacity. “It’s awful out there. Everyone has been selling cheap and we¹ve come to the peak and there’s over-capacity.
“There are 50 million more return seats from the UK than six years ago. That is the crunch.”