Center Parcs’ three UKvillages may not be on sale through the UK trade but operators are reporting strong sales for their European counterparts featured in their brochures for the first time this year.
Two of the properties in France – in Normandy and the Sologne region of the Loire valley – are featured in Bridge Travel Group’s Theme Parks and Holiday Villages brochure.
Brand manager Andy Noble said 30% of its Center Parcs business is for France. “Both parks have sold well, but Le Domaine des Bois-France is more appealing as it is closer to the French ports.
“People are very familiar with the brand, but previously didn’t realise it was available on mainland Europe. About 80% of our bookings are through the trade,” he added.
For 2000, both French parks are also featured in Bridge’s Self-Drive programme. Le Domaine des Bois-France has also been offered by Travelscene, in its Family Short Breaks brochure, since late June.
Sales director John Harding said:”We were trying for a long time to persuade Center Parcs to allow us to feature them and are pleased to have finally been accepted. The trade seems to have no problem selling it.”
Hauts de Bruyeres general manager Francois Grandjean admitted the park is always busy with French visitors, but added. “We are now looking to increase the number of British visitors and are starting to see some success.
“People come mainly for our facilities, but once here most also take the opportunity to visit the Loire chateaux nearby.”
Bridge Travel Group:seven nights’ self-catering at Les Hauts de Bruyeres costs from £478 next year for a villa for up to six people including return ferry crossings from Dover, Folkestone or Newhaven.
Travelscene:four nights’ self-catering in a two-bedroom villa for up to four people at Le Domaine de Bois-France costs £368 per villa next March including return P&O Portsmouth ferry crossing from Portsmouth to Le Havre.