Summer 2000
Main destinations: the Balearics, mainland Spain, Cyprus, Gran Canaria, Crete, Florida and Mexico.
New destinations: Sorrento is new to Virgin Sun and Unijet; Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Zante have also been added by Virgin Sun, and Cosmos has added the resorts of Laganas and Argassi on Zante; the Costa Dorada has been reintroduced by Unijet; the resort of Gouves in Crete has been included by First Choice; Acapulco is new to Airtours.
New brochures: Airtours has a new Portugal brochure featuring properties in Portugal and Madeira; Cosmos is launching a dedicated Greece and Turkey brochure.
New products: Thomson has introduced pagers for parents and children’s breakfast clubs for families, while its Platinum Collection clients will be able to check in for return flights in their hotels; Airtours has a new Prestige programme featuring a collection of four and five-star hotels around the world plus a new Special Collection programme featuring small, quality hotels and villas in 16 short-haul destinations; Cosmos has a Great for Friends product at four hotels aimed at younger singles.
Predicted trends: while price increases are expected to continue, there will be a trading down from hotels to self-catering properties in destinations where prices have increased; less complaints and more satisfied clients as operators tackle customer problems in resort; and increased emphasis on activities.