club 18-30 bosses overjoyed with docu-soap

OVERJOYED bosses at Club 18-30 are celebrating the controversy caused by docu-soap Club Reps after bookings for the product leapt 20% on last year.

The shock fly-on-the-wall show – which has caused outrage for focusing on the sexy antics of young holidaymakers – had an immediate effect on bookings when the first episode went out 10 days ago.

Bookings held firm throughout last week while national newspapers continued to dig the dirt on the programme’s unwitting ‘stars’ Becky Assemakis and Rachael Williams.

Club 18-30 general manager Andy Tidy said: “I’m very pleased with the programme and our sales are ahead of the forecast, which vindicates our decision to work with Scottish Media Group.”

The dramatic surge in bookings has proved a welcome relief for Club 18-30, which was predicting a poor summer ahead. The operator had expected sales to be in line with the rest of the market, down between 10%-20%.

Tidy dismissed suggestions the 10-part series was nothing more than ‘shock TV’ after cameras followed clients Becky and Rachael in the first two episodes. In one scene Becky was interviewed just moments after a three-in-a-bed romp.

Tidy said: “When people have seen more episodes they will be in a better position to judge. I’ve seen most of the series and viewers get a more balanced picture as the various storylines unfold.”

Although later episodes will focus more heavily on the work of the operator’s reps in resort, programme makers have admitted the series is now being re-edited in light of the massive media interest. To kick off the series, ITV bosses deliberately scheduled in some of the most shocking footage to win viewers.

Ironically, the Thomas Cook-owned operator said it does not expect any damage to the brand, since the ‘sex-and-booze’ image portrayed simply reinforces the perception of what people can expect on a Club 18-30 holiday.

That is in stark contrast to the experience of other holiday companies that have taken part in documentary series.

Celebrity Cruises has vowed never to appear again following the disaster of BBC1’s The Cruise programme.

Director of sales, marketing and distribution Pete Williams said the company is still rebuilding its image with the trade four years after the show was broadcast.

He said: “We wouldn’t do it again. There is no editorial control and it has taken time to get our brand back to what it was. The only person to do well out of it was singer Jane McDonald.”