YOUR analysis of Mediterranean bed stock supply in the wake of Airtours’ acquisition of Majorca’s Bellevue Hotel (Travel WeeklyFebruary 7) raised a number of interesting issues.
With the supply of quality beds in key resorts diminishing, it is clear that accommodation is going to be a key battleground in coming years.
The low-cost airlines are set to add further fuel to the fire as they are actively developing routes to the very resorts which are suffering bed shortages. Go is flying daily to Ibiza this summer, but where will its independent travelling passengers be staying?
I believe that what current developments illustrate quite clearly is the growing importance to the industry of accommodation-only specialists, particularly to the independent sector.
Apartments Abroad, for example, has long-term, guaranteed deals with hoteliers and apartment owners in the Canaries, Balearics and resorts across the Med from which independent operators and agents are already benefiting. So, those Go passengers can rest their heads in San Antonio after all – and independents can scoop commission on the sale.
Ian Thirlwall
Managing director
Apartments Abroad
Stoke-on-Trent