5 2
Lates to be tough as Turkey slumps
Juliet Dennis
juliet.dennis@
travelweekly.co.uk
Agents are being told to prepare for a challenging late sales period as Turkey bookings slump by at least 40%.
Analyst GfK reported summer bookings for Turkey down 46% year on year in January and 33% down for the season to date, while Tui has reported bookings to the destination down by “about 40%” across its markets, not just the UK. The company declared the destination “a challenge” for this summer. Last summer, 14% of its customers went to Turkey. It has shifted capacity to destinations including Spain and Greece. Industry experts warned of a
late sales period in which most of Spain will be “booked up”, with limited availability in other “safe” destinations. Turkey is expected to have “exceptionally low” prices and availability, thanks to scheduled carriers. Miles Morgan Travel owner Miles Morgan said it would be up to agents to inform customers about the size of Turkey and dispel misconceptions that there are Syrian refugees in beach resorts. Industry consultant Andy
Altinkum, Turkey
Cooper said: “Agents may have a tough time in the lates market. “They need the lates market
to make money, but where will they send people? Spain will be largely full. Some of the obvious alternatives are out of bounds. “Turkey may get a certain level of bookings at that point, always assuming there is a large enough flight programme available.” Alan Bowen, legal adviser to the Association of Atol Companies, agreed: “The problem will be there will be nothing to sell in the lates market. It will be Turkey and Turkey only. The question is whether people want to go there.” Agents will have “a job to do”
to give clients confidence to book Turkey, admitted Morgan. “You can furnish them with the
facts for them to decide,” he said. Anatolian Sky managing
director Akin Koc believes Turkey will enjoy a strong lates market. “Agents should not put themselves under the influence of the media,” he said. “The nearest Turkish resort to the Syrian border is more than 800 miles away.”
•Fritz Joussen became the sole chief executive of Tui this week after
a year of joint management with Peter Long, who has been elected as a supervisory board member.
3 STORIES HOT Dan Steabler
Hays to sell tour op through indies
Jennifer Morris
jennifer.morris@
travelweekly.co.uk
Hays Travel is targeting independent agencies outside of the group to sell its tour operation for the first time.
The agency has brought former
JTA Travel regional sales manager David Hinder-Edwards on board to help attract business from independent retailers. Hays Faraway and Hays Cruise,
which are part of the Hays Tour Operating brand, have been sold primarily through Hays’ own agents and its consortium members, but the company wants to raise its profile among all independent agents. Hinder-Edwards said all independents could work with Hays’ tour operation regardless of their consortium “providing they can to pay by direct debit”. Based on the road, he will be emphasising the operator’s “generous commercial terms”, dedicated support team and a £150 holiday deposit as standard. Hays Tour Operating national
sales manager Dan Steabler said: “We’ve tried and tested these products ourselves and know what works. I believe independent agents benefit from working with us as it helps retain their independence in the market.” The tour operation offers short and long-haul holidays, escorted tours and fly-cruises. Its brochures include Luxury Collection; USA & Canada; and Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific. Hays would not give specific details but said it runs a “full fam trip programme”, mainly to long-haul destinations, with places allocated mainly via sales performance and competitions. Other operators appeared
unfazed by Hays’ strategy. Jetset sales director Adrian
Smyth said he had “no issue” with tour operator competition. Susan Allan, head of trade sales
at Specialist Holidays Group, said: “We have seen good growth through Travelmood since its launch in October and therefore understand why Hays would want to launch its Faraway brand into the trade domain. We would like to wish them the very best of luck.”
11 February 2016
travelweekly.co.uk 5
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 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88