ACC3-4 oct3 30/9/08 11:47 Page 57
ttglive.com
accommodation knowledge
o changing market
.
c
om
photoshot
es/
tur
orld Pic
W
Room-only sales to Sharm el Sheikh could be hit following the collapse of Freedom Flights, which was part of XL Superbreak says its sales to Paris are growing in popularity
XL fallout Cities and long-haul watching TV news would think that the
Most bed banks are adopting a wait and see One major accommodation market that has country’s economy was falling into an abyss.
approach following the collapse of XL last been largely untouched by XL’s demise is the But accommodation-only companies say de-
month, although increased air fares to some city breaks sector, but there are signs that mand is still strong as consumers are deter-
destinations may squeeze demand for customers are watching what they spend. mined to go on holiday even if it means
winter-sun holidays. Maretta Moriarty, product development spending less on the break.
Paul Riches,
Youtravel.com sales and manager at HotelConnect, says: “Destina- On Holiday’s Brian Young says: “The
marketing director, says: “We haven’t made tions outside the eurozone are performing philosophy is still ‘we are’ going on holiday,
capacity cuts but we are conscious that better than those with the euro – Prague, but we want the best price possible and if
demand could change because there are Marrakech, Krakow and Belfast are all per- need be we will trade down for a year.”
fewer flights available. For example, regional forming better than expected and London is Ironically the appalling British summer
flights into Sharm were one of XL’s strongest now our top-selling destination.” weather has probably acted as a spur to keep
sellers. Over the next few months we will get Despite the high value of the euro against consumers travelling abroad but most opera-
an idea of the shape and size of flying pro- the pound, Superbreak has seen strong ac- tors say they are watching their pennies
grammes available and will be able to look commodation sales to Paris with 15,000 cus- more than in previous years.
at our portfolio subsequently.” tomers booking hotels in the city over the Simonne Fairbanks from Seligo says:
Apartments Abroad’s managing director last year. Other healthy performers include “There has been a trend in all-inclusive re-
Ian Thirlwall adds: “So far we have not the Belgian city of Bruges, Gibraltar, Krakow quests. With Europe becoming more expen-
adjusted capacity, which you can only do in Poland, and Dubai. sive, people feel that by booking all-inclusive
when you’re actually contracting, but as they can control their costs more and will
things stand we’re not looking at cuts as a re- Customers want their holidays not get caught out once in resort with exces-
sult of the XL situation.” Anybody reading the UK’s national papers or sive food and drink costs.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80