CRESTA is looking to double carryings in its second Worldwide programme after adding four destinations, city breaks to China and two resorts in 2000.
The operator hopes the addition of the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Mexico and Tobago will help push passenger numbers to around 10,000.
Cresta has also included city breaks to Beijing, Shanghai and Xian to fuel its growth plans while the Thai resort of Krabi and Pangkor in Malaysia are also new.
Managing director Steve Kimber said:”To carry 5,000 in our first year was not a bad achievement but we now need to generate some volume.
“The new destinations were an obvious expansion for the programme. Mexico, in particular, is taking off and we expect good volume there.
“Tobago is a natural expansion to our Caribbean programme.”
Kimber said the introduction of China was prompted by the operator’s expertise in the city-break market.
“The cities featured were only available as part of a longer tour. We had demand, however, to introduce city breaks as most people know that is our core product,” he said.
Cresta is featuring two hotels in Shanghai and Beijing and one in Xian.
Prices lead in at £551 for four nights in a four-star hotel in Beijing.
“We estimate around 50% of visitors to China will travel onto the Far East,” added Kimber. “The programme is tailor-made so any options are available.”
The scheduled flight-based programme is targeted largely at the upper end of the market with 77% of properties either four or five star.
Prices for 2000 have fluctuated from this year’s levels with Kimber critical of hoteliers in the Far East who, after an encouraging 1999, have increased rates by 15%-20%.
“We have to pass this on the customer,” he said. “It a real annoyance. Hoteliers are cutting their noses off to spite their face. It remains to be seen if people are willing to pay that much more.”
Early-booking offers include free travel insurance for children when parents book a Cresta policy while room upgrades are available in a number of resorts. Free travel guides are also offered to customers.