It’s been a pretty dreadful year for the trade and it looks as though we’re going to see some casualties over the next few months (see front page).
I’ve heard every excuse under the sun – including the weather, lack of windfall payments and economic uncertainty – cited for the low levels of demand in the market.
Some of the multiples have been almost giving holidays away, so it’s no surprise that there’s a knock-on effect on the independents.
Those agents who survive will be hoping that operators have learned some lessons from this summer.
Capacity has to be kept tight for next year, with a continued focus on quality – even if it means customers have to pay that bit extra for it.
Research continually shows that customers want package holidays to improve.
Thomas Cook is the wild-card and has a big responsibility to the industry.
It is pretty clear that it wants its newly-named tour operation, JMC, to be the number one.
Its predecessor Sunworld grew at an alarming rate and with no UK shareholders to answer to, it didn’t matter if that market share had to be bought.
Now JMC says the focus is on quality – and let’s hope that it is as good as its word. Next year is not going to be the time to pile on capacity.
Jeremy Skidmore – editor