04-07 market focus 23/1/09 11:41 Page 5
destination report Caribbean
FLYING WHERE THERE’S DEMAND departures and it will add a third weekly
Tams says BA added the weekly direct flight to Gatwick-Montego Bay flight for the winter
St Kitts because the airline spotted a gap in the season (November 13, 2009-March 19, 2010).
market. He says: “With the failure of XL and
St Kitts/Nevis emerging as an up-and-coming ALL-INCLUSIVE LEADING THE WAY
luxury destination, we decided there was Operators are reporting a booming trend
enough demand to warrant a service. It fits our towards all-inclusive holidays in these cash-poor
strategy – to serve islands not times. SuperClubs claims that
Predictions for
served by other carriers.” all-inclusive is becoming the
the coming year
Monarch also stepped into number one holiday option
XL’s shoes, taking over former this year. Sales and marketing The
XL routes to Grenada and manager Annabelle Marshall recession
Tobago. This has opened up says: “We have to face the fact will force people to
the market to these islands for 2009 is going to be the year for shop around more, to
Cosmos and flight-only opera- saving money. book rooms instead of
tor Avro – their programmes “But customers do not want suites, to travel for
began in December. to sacrifice their well-earned shorter durations, and
Aruba is also coming on holidays. The all-inclusive to downgrade from
the scene, with a Thomsonfly holiday is not only great value five to four-star. They’ll be looking for
charter from Gatwick increasing its frequency for money but ideal for keeping an eye on your added value wherever they can get it.”
to weekly in May. Shona Swain, acting general budget, with one upfront cost and no hidden Katie Parsons, Caribbean products and
manager of long-haul for Thomson and First extras.” contracts manager, Hayes and Jarvis
Choice, says: “First Choice/Thomson is the only Iberostar has 14 all-inclusive Caribbean
direct charter operator to Aruba. The island has properties, in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic Booking will
white-powder sand, great shopping and is small (pictured, inset) and Cuba. The five-star Iberostar get later and
enough to explore easily.” Playa Laguna is due to open in Cuba in March. later in the market.
Hendry says that Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao Marketing director Heike Genschow says: People are holding on
are seeing a significant increase in business. “We see the Caribbean as an important for the best bargains
“They’ve always been popular with the North destination in which to expand. The British within four weeks of
American and Dutch markets,” she says. “But market is our first European source market for departure, and due to
new access and a range of good value properties the Caribbean and sales continue to climb to the uncertainty of
are really widening the appeal of these islands.” these destinations.” employment in these difficult economic
She adds: “Accessibility is key for British times, people are finding it hard to commit
travellers. They want new destinations they can SHOPPING AROUND FOR LUXURY further out. But pricing for this summer and
fly to directly.” In spite of the global economic squeeze, the next winter has never been so competitive.
Virgin Atlantic is also boosting its services in luxury market appears to be holding up. The There are definitely bargains to be had.”
the region. The airline is adding Saturday flights rock-bottom interest rates have prompted some Alison Pritchard, product and commercial
from Manchester to Barbados between May 2 savers to dip into their nest eggs, because they manager, Cosmos Distant Dreams
and November 7, 2009 to its existing Sunday are getting less return on their investments.
TTG Knowledge – January 2009
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