p2 contents jan9 7/1/09 21:39 Page 2
It may be freezing,
but can this weather
news
warm up sales?
WERE my eyes deceiving me this week? Did a
national newspaper really run a front page story
talking up travel, shouting about the great deals
available and urging consumers to book early?
The Daily Express told readers some 200,000
people each day were currently snapping up New
Year holiday bargains. And to be fair, the “sod it”
factor definitely appears to be kicking in, helped
this week
in no small part by the freezing weather currently
gripping the country.
Brits desperate for warmth are driving strong late
bookings for January and February, which is just as
well, as summer 2009 sales are still well down.
Apparently, they were behind as much as 25% on
the same time last year between Christmas and New
tin Klipp
Year, which is bad enough in what is always a low Mar
volume week.
But if that level of downturn does not improve
Travel Gives Back. . .in Barbados
over the next few weeks, when significant volumes Petra Roach of the Barbados Tourism Authority was part of an industry group
are expected, the industry could be in serious trouble. that helped refurbish a primary school in a remote part of the island. p14
Operators and agents will probably not have
expected huge demand since Christmas, but will Travel 2. Interview.
be absolutely banking on this weekend and next for New boss for Stella UK p4 Amanda Wills p12
a major rush to kick in. New Stella UK managing director Virgin Holidays managing director
Sources suggest many retailers and suppliers Andrew Botterill said Cook’s buyout Amanda Wills on how she plans
have some killer deals and discounts up their sleeves of Gold Medal was an opportunity to expand Travel City Direct’s
to stimulate the market and many in the trade are for Stella brand Travel 2 to profit programme to the Caribbean
anticipating competition really hotting up – hopefully from its independent status after buying the firm from XL
in time to thaw the current buying chill. administrators
Campaign.
The Hokey Cokey deal January promotions p6 Cruise.
At last! Cook has finally hammered out a deal with Travel companies and agency MSC prepares for 2009 p22
lastminute.com to buy Medhotels. It has groups have kicked off this year’s Italian cruise line MSC, which
even been referred to in the corridors of January peaks campaigns stressing launched its largest-ever ship
Peterborough as “the Hokey Cokey deal” – the consumer protection they offer MSC Fantasia in December, says
for being in one minute, then out the next. – and disputing whose is the best its privately owned status should
The deal should be good news for the give it an advantage over rivals
whole bed bank sector since it should stop Recession. during the economic downturn
the 18-month price war and introduce Airmiles sees upturn p7
some market stability. Airmiles has reported a major Air.
Having one dominant player will increase in the number of people New BA St Kitts route p28
stop everyone focusing on the cashing in their “miles” to pay The Caribbean islands of St Kitts
lowest price to gain market for holidays in the wake of a is hoping a British Airways service
share and allow them instead multimillion-pound turn-of-year that starts tomorrow will fill the
to focus on margins. television marketing campaign gap left by XL and bring more
The question is, will Tui just sit upmarket visitors
back and let Cook run away with it? Honours.
Hotelbeds is strong in Europe but David Dingle gets CBE p9 SECTORS.
not the UK, so could yet more A rare honour for the outbound Cruise p22
consolidation be on the cards? industry as Carnival UK’s David Operators p24
Dingle is recognised in this year’s Hotels & resorts p26
Lucy Huxley Editor New Year honours. It is hoped this Air p28
could help raise the sector’s profile Business travel p30
02 09.01.2009
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