DIY3 jan30 23/1/09 18:18 Page 48
knowledge diy summer 2009
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Properties in US cities such as Las Vegas are offering
reduced rates
No-frills routes could hold the key for accommodation-only
All-inclusive options are tipped to prove particularly attractive to cash-strapped customers this summer sales in certain destinations
and are only offering some early-booking “EasyJet’s announcement of nine new sees self-catering strengthening for the same
discounts, but these are not stimulating the routes from UK regional airports is good reason, particularly with families.
market. It’s an ‘ostrich’ business model news and we hope others will follow suit.” “The length of holidays could be impacted
producing only lookers not bookers.” Youtravel’s Paul Riches said demand could as people will go more for seven or 10-day
But hotel prices in some destinations are change because of fewer available flights, holidays rather than 14,” she said.
down. “We are seeing reduced rates in New such as regional departures to Sharm, which Superbreak’s Ian Mounser anticipates a
York and free nights in Las Vegas, which were among XL’s strongest sellers. But with “significant move towards domestic tourism”
hasn’t happened since 2001,” said Heidi more routes from no-frills carriers it meant while those heading overseas will look for
Blades, Premier Holidays’ general manager “there are other opportunities for both the added-value product, such as all-inclusive
for America, Canada and Caribbean. accommodation-only suppliers and agents to and self-catered properties.
capitalise on”. “We believe the family market will be hit
WILL AIRLINE CUTBACKS. On Holiday Group’s Brian Young also sees somewhat more, while other sectors such as
CREATE ANY CAPACITY . the no-frills carriers playing a part. “There the ‘Young and Lively’ will possibly remain
ISSUES FOR MAJOR . will be some capacity issues as we get to resilient to the downturn,” he predicted.
DESTINATIONS?. high season due to the number of charter Research by HotelConnect in November
Bedbank’s Peter Healey believes a lack of flights taken out of the market with the de- showed that over two-thirds of respondents
seats will impact on availability, but added: mise of XL and cutbacks from the majors. It had taken more than three short breaks in
“There will be opportunities to add capacity all depends on the low-cost carriers, if they the previous two years, and a similar number
as the season approaches. This will be a decide to start adding into these areas.” intended to follow suit over the next two.
lates-driven market based on consumer “There’s evidently still a desire and inten-
confidence over job losses and interest rates, HOW WILL THE ECONOMIC . tion to travel,” said the firm’s Ian Ackland.
and agents must be able to react to get their DOWNTURN AFFECT . With rising costs in the eurozone, he
share of the market.” ACCOMMODATION-ONLY? . thought there might be some trading down
However, John Harding, sales and market- Hotels4U’s John Harding expects all-inclusive in accommodation, such as switching from
ing director for
Hotels4U.com, hopes there properties to become more popular as cus- four-star to three-star hotels. But he said
will be some capacity replacement as the tomers look for value-for-money breaks and sales since New Year had yet to show any
summer season approaches, and he said now an easy way to control their holiday budgets. evidence of that, a fact Ackland put down to
was a great opportunity for low-cost airlines Getabed’s Matthew Stuart and Medhotels four-star hotels reacting quicker with deals
to make more flights available to the trade. head of sales Teresa Walsh agree. Walsh also offering better value than three-star hotels.
48 30.01.2009
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