Travel companies offering Black Friday deals say they would be “crazy” not to capitalise on the retail frenzy, but admit it will never replace the post-Christmas sales period.
Companies including Tui, Cosmos Tours, Avalon Waterways, Funway, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and Club Med are promoting cut-price deals to cash in on the US-originated phenomenon this Friday.
Tour operators stressed discounts are ‘real’ despite Which? reporting that not all Black Friday promotions are genuine.
Giles Hawke, chief executive of Avalon Waterways and Cosmos Tours, said: “There is so much noise about Black Friday, it would be a bit crazy not to be in the consideration set. This is incremental business.”
Hawke said enquiry levels were higher this Monday than the three previous Mondays. He added: “We’ve taken a slightly more aggressive approach on price and put a limited number of holidays into our deals. They are real deals; when they’re gone, they’re gone.”
Agents can save £100 per person on Cosmos Tours and £150 on Avalon Waterways until November 28.
Funway managing director Stephen Rhodes said: “I doubt anyone will wake up on Friday and decide to book a holiday.”
Leisure consultant Richard Carrick said: “Black Friday is more appropriate for fast-moving consumer goods. Holidays are more considered, expensive and involve input from family.”
Steve Dunne, executive chairman of PR and marketing firm Brighter Group, said Black Friday was a way to “make some noise” at a traditionally quiet time of year, but agreed: “Holidays are not high on the agenda until after Christmas.”