CRESTA has almost doubled its number of hotels in Dublin as demand to the city continues to outstrip supply.
By increasing its hotels from 25 to 47 in its new 1999 Ireland brochure, the operator is hoping to reduce the capacity squeeze in the Irish capital.
“There are two markets in Ireland – Dublin and the rest,” said marketing manager Jane Williams. “We could have sold each bed four times over during 1998.”
Williams said the increase in accommodation only bookings – largely due to the number of low-cost airlines flying to Dublin – also prompted the move to increase capacity
“During the summer, we had to stop taking these bookings as they are of lower revenue than inclusive-tour bookings and were eating into our capacity,” said Williams. “We don’t like turning any booking away but we had little choice. Hopefully, because of the increased capacity, we will not have to repeat that this year.”
Short breaks to Dublin are available with prices leading in at ú144 per person for three nights at the Viking Lodge Hotel.
Outside Dublin, Altrincham-based Cresta is featuring hotels and self-catering cottages, coach tours, cycling and walking holidays, river cruises and gipsy caravan holidays. It is targeting 10% growth in ’99 but declined to give passenger numbers.
Williams said self-catering holidays were increasing in popularity as more holidaymakers preferred the freedom they offered.
“Developers are now asking our advice about what the UK market likes in self-catering accommodation,” he said.
Holidays start from ú47 per person, based on six sharing, at the Celtic Cottages, Rosscarbery in County Cork.