The major operators are expected to launch their summer 2000 programmes on June 3 as retailers struggle to sell the rest of this year’s holidays.
Travel Weekly exclusively revealed last week that Thomson was considering delaying launches from the end of April until at least the beginning of June. Airtours, First Choice and Thomas Cook are likely to follow suit.
St Andrews Travel managing director Andrew Dickson welcomed a delayed launch and added that the crisis in Kosovo had severely dented bookings. He said feedback at the ARTACconference had found independent agents were as much as 25% down.
Thomas Cook Retail and Direct managing director Andrew Windsor said he supported a delayed launch.
Debbie Goldsworthy of Broadbent Worldchoice in Liverpool said she was “ecstatic” at the news.
n See Analysis, page 6; Columnists page 11