BOOKINGS in the post-Christmas peak period are down as much as 20% compared to last year.
Even when comparisons take into account that there was one less selling day because of the way the Christmas and New Year Bank Holidays fell, the market is more than 10%down.
Thomas Cook commercial manager Paul Wedgwood said:”With all the gloomy forecasts, consumers are being more cautious this year.”
Going Places, Lunn Poly and Thomas Cook are promoting their own brands more aggressively following the consolidation in the industry.
The ban on linking discounts with insurance also means most agents have scrapped the traditional percentage discounts and replaced them with cash discounts alongside insurance offers.
One industry source said: “Many of the discounts are actually higher than last year when the maximum was 25%. This has been offset by operators increasing third-edition brochure prices.”
Carlson Worldchoice’s decision not to conduct a TVcampaign and not to discount as heavily as last year is believed to have hit sales but the retailer was unavailable for comment.
First Choice Holidays and Flights managing director Dermot Blastland dismissed reports that it has been hit by its policy of not being aligned with one of the multiples.
Estimated industry figures showed Going Places has increased its market share from around 14% last year to 23%. Lunn Poly and Thomas Cook are believed to have maintained share at around 23.5%and 14%respectively.
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