GIBRALTAR’S hotel investment programme has been welcomed by operators, which have noted higher client satisfaction levels this summer and are looking to increase business for 2000.
Crystal Cities product director Alan Betty said: “The quality of accommodation has been very poor. Now with government help, the hotels are looking very good – it’s a totally different product.
“The complaint ratio for Gibraltar was worrying at one time – now the hotels have got their act together, sales are good and guest satisfaction levels are high.”
Crystal is offering a three-night millennium package to the Rock Hotel, including New Year’s Eve fancy-dress gala dinner/dance, at £875. It departs Gatwick on December 30.
Prestige director John Dixon added: “What the Rock and Eliott hotels have done is wonderful. Since the refurbishments we’ve had a zero complaint level – and that now goes for Gibraltar as a whole.”
Cresta brand manager Julie Earnshaw is similarly upbeat. “With the hotel refurbishments going on, people held back from booking Gibraltar. Now we’re seeing a release of pent-up demand,” she said.
“Sales generally have now returned to 1998 levels, though they are down for the Caleta Palace, where work is still going on. However, the new rooms in the hotels are excellent.”
“Development in Gibraltar has been greater than expected, with new bars and restaurants opening and more happening. There’s a real feel of excitement about the place,” Earnshaw added.
Market leader Cadogan, like Cresta, features all four leading hotels. Managing director Gary David said it has been “hard work” achieving 7,500 Gibraltar bookings this year.
“While the Rock and the Eliott now look a lot better, the Caleta Palace has been partly out of action for 18 months, and that’s our top-selling hotel for families,” he said.
“The renovation and road work has killed business for the Caleta Palace.
“I hope when it’s complete the hotel doesn’t pitch itself too high, or we may lose our family market.”
Sovereign Cities has dropped the two-star Bristol for 2000 in favour of the two-star Queens, leading in at £219 for a two-night break.
The Queens also features with Thomson Breakaway.
Sovereign group product manager Anna Prentice said:”Our Gibraltar figure will never be in the thousands, mainly due to capacity, but bookings have stayed level over the past two years.”
Premier is to increase Gibraltar coverage in next year’s Short Breaks brochure.
General manager Rob Haynes said:”We’re 29% up this year. Gibraltar represents good value.”
Thomas Cook introduced Gibraltar in 1998 and related brand Time Off added it this year; both will retain it after good 1999 sales, said Thomas Cook head of product short-haul Jill Cleaton.
“For somewhere not automatically on everyone’s shopping list, Gibraltar has exceeded our expectations,” she said. “It’s a good year-round destination and now offers good standard hotels.”
However, Travelscene commercial manager Paul Stanley said the operator had yet to see a Gibraltar recovery after last year’s bookings slump. He blamed the hotel refurbishment work.
“Bookings to Gibraltar are substantially down.” he said. “We still hope to pick up business for autumn and winter, but there’s no way of avoiding an unfavourable comparison with Palma.”
Cosmos will drop Gibraltar from its Winter Sun and Golden Times programme after this winter.
Short-haul product manager Anna Bishop said:”We’ve been 30% up this summer, but on a very small base of under 1,000 bookings.
“Though there’s been a lot of rejuvenation in Gibraltar and it has a loyal client base, Cosmos has ambitious growth plans and we want to target our efforts elsewhere.”
Sample Product: Gibraltar
Cadogan: four-night break at the four-star Rock Hotel with breakfast, from £297 including flights andtransfers.
Sovereign: two-night break at the two-star Bristol with breakfast, from £245 including flights.
Travelscene: two-night break at the four-star Eliott with breakfast, from £425 including flights andtransfers.
Crystal: five nights at the three-star Caleta Palace with breakfast, from £329 including flights andtransfers.