PLUNGING overseas late sales have led to a sharp rise in domestic holiday bookings.
Following recent airport chaos and continued consumer concerns, overseas operators are slashing prices, with Libra Holidays offering one-way flights to Turkey for £19, while Olympic Holidays’ one-way flight prices to Greece start at £28.
Ilkeston Co-op managing director Chris Smith said: “It’s a tough market but within that there are elements of encouragement in city breaks and cruises.” Industry statistics show 2006 sales are down 5%-6% for summer, 12% for winter, and summer 2007 down by as much as 20%, he said.
Kinver Travel owner Sue Foxall added that despite a pre back-to-school rush, operators’ desperation to shift unsold stock was being reflected in prices, with Olympic offering two weeks in Rhodes for £125.
Olympic commercial director Photis Lambrianides said low prices were not related to desperation but to the need to clear stock, adding that last week saw a 25% increase in sales.
Of growing concern is Egypt, with winter 2006/07 sales down by as much as 30%, according to official industry statistics.
Bales Worldwide sales and marketing director Iain Fenton said the operator had seen only a single figure drop in sales for Egypt this winter and believed mass market operators have suffered the most, adding: “They piled in there with too much capacity.”
None of the big four operators would comment on winter figures or capacity in Egypt.
UK operators reported bumper sales, meanwhile Hoseasons has been inundated with enquiries – up to 1,000 phone calls and web visits an hour last week. Chief executive Richard Carrick added: “Every travel story has a silver lining”.
Marsdens Cottage Holidays partner Peter Cornwell said sales were 20% up. For the first time the company has sold out the operator’s 250 properties.
Interesting links:
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.001002003003001003
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/5260198.stm
http://www.visitbritain.com/VB3-en-GB/experiences/indulge/abreathoffreshair/escapetothebeach.aspx
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