Caribtours has estimated hurricanes Irma and Maria displaced £1 million worth of business as it sends its first agent fam trip back to the region.
The agent educational was the first from the UK to Anguilla since Irma struck in September 2017.
Managing director Paul Cleary admitted the impact of the hurricanes had been felt “more keenly than expected” by the operator but reported that sales for this financial year, from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2018, were in fact £1 million ahead to date, thanks to sales of its new Europe programme. Greece is its fourth best-selling destination this year.
“Europe is driving our growth. The reality is Europe is an opportunity and could be massive for us,” he said. “Sales are up £1 million this year across the board and this is coming from Europe. We are getting growth out of the Caribbean but not at the same rate. Demand and prices are higher in Europe.”
Caribtours began sending clients to Europe last September and by the end of the financial year it will account for 10% of sales. The Caribbean accounts for 65% of business while the Indian Ocean and Middle East together represent 25%.
Sales just to the Caribbean are “slightly up” for the financial year despite the fact the British Virgin Islands, St Barts and Dominica remain off sale for the operator.
The operator’s core destinations of Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia are unaffected and continue to be open as usual.
For the fam trip, the operator partnered with the Anguilla Tourist Board UK and Virgin Atlantic to send educational packs to the island’s school children.