Spain 12 10/3/09 13:59 Page 61
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spain knowledge
Summer booking trends
Hoteliers ease prices
as they feel the heat
Is Spain set for a summer
of discontent? Operators
report rate cuts and other
trends to offset the strong
euro. By Robin Searle
O
f all the short-haul destinations
looking to overcome the “perfect
storm” of recession and exchange
rates, Spain perhaps has the most
to lose.
Already under pressure in recent years
from capacity shifts to the eastern Med and
a perception that its resorts are becoming
increasingly outmoded, it is now being
flagged as the destination most in the firing
line as the pound continues to suffer at the
hands of the euro.
But are things really that bad, or will the
prophets of doom be proved wrong?
Spanish specialists are certainly not
willing to throw in the towel just yet, with
an unlikely bright light emerging in the
.
u
k
co
shape of some old favourites. es.
tur
Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz and Costa
Blanca have attracted strong year-on-year worldpic
increases in sales, according to Superbreak, Some of the Costas have attracted increased sales this year, according to Superbreak, Somewhere2stay and Classic Collection
Somewhere2stay.com and Classic Collection
Holidays. particularly in the Balearics and Canaries, top-end hotels from well-known brands such
For Superbreak, the Costa del Sol has are recognising the need to offer competitive as Sol Melia, Iberostar, Riu and Gruposol.
overtaken Majorca as its number one prices to stimulate demand. “Chain hotels are very important to a
sunshine destination, with Majorca bookings “Our Majorcan and Canary hoteliers have customer booking via a bed bank, direct
down 32% year-on-year. been hit by the lack of German, French or via their agent,” says product and
Somewhere2stay also highlights a dip in and Spanish mainland holidaymakers,” he commercial manager Kate Buchan.
Majorca sales, with the other main Balearic explains. “When they recognise the brand they
islands of Menorca and Ibiza performing “Hoteliers were acting with a ‘wait and know exactly what to expect by way of
more strongly. see’ attitude, but fortunately we’ve been in quality and service.”
In the Canary Islands, Lanzarote appears contact with them since before Christmas Classic Collection says good flight
to have had a strong start to the year – up and so have seen some progress in getting availability means there are some attractive
8% for Classic and 10% for Superbreak – additional deals and price reductions.” options available in Spain, while flight-only
while the powerhouses of Tenerife and Gran Reflecting a general accommodation-only specialist Teleticket adds that rationalisation
Canaria have performed less well so far. trend away from two and three-star self- of its summer 2009 programme to focus on
Gary Boyer, Classic Collection’s head of catering options, Somewhere2stay said it peak holiday periods meant that good-value
purchasing, believes Spanish hoteliers, had expanded its Spanish portfolio with prices should hold up.
13.03.2009 61
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