p13 news apr3 1/4/09 17:16 Page 13
ttglive.com
news
US ‘still excellent
value for money’
Robin Searle.
holidays as not representing good
SPECIALIST operators and agents have value was a significant factor.
urged the trade to move swiftly to “The public generally perceive the
change perceptions about the value of exchange rate to be poor, despite the
US holidays, to halt a downturn in fact it’s not that different to a couple
bookings. of years ago, when it was seen as good
Ruby Briggs, managing director of value,” said Carrick.
North America Travel Service, told a Briggs said: “The US is still excellent
general meeting of the Visit USA value, and this is the message we need
Association that sales had begun to to get out, not only to consumers but
slide in the last quarter of 2008 and also to the retail trade.”
had been 18% down in January and She urged suppliers to keep stimu-
February on last year. lating the market with added value
Sally Carrick, chairman offers, and to hold their
of independent agency nerve on pricing despite
Carrick Travel, said US a shift towards late
sales were about 10% bookings.
down, while Visit USA “Up to 2008, a typical
chief operating officer lead time would have
Alan Waddell admitted been four to six months,
there was “not a great but this year we are
deal of positive news”. looking at four to eight
Briggs, Carrick and weeks, even for complex
other speakers agreed itineraries and top-end
that a perception of US Obama effect: Washington DC bookings,” said Briggs.
Obamagnetism: Washington DC’s tourism marketing body said the city was
bucking the trend in declining visitors because of the impact of Barack Obama’s
election victory. Theresa Belpulsi, vice-president of Destination DC, said it
expected to benefit from the Obama effect for another two or three months.
Spain banks on sun factor
SPAIN will not suffer as badly as going to have a bad year but not as
expected this year – despite a decline terrible as it looks now,” he said.
in summer bookings for the first Vasallo said the perception of the
three months of 2009, according to eurozone as expensive was an unfair
the director of the country’s UK generalisation, and he disputed the
tourist office. theory that many Britons would be
Ignacio Vasallo said bookings this staying at home for their summer
January and February had fallen by holiday this year.
20% compared to 2008, and bookings “That could happen, but when May
in March were down 15% year-on-year. and June arrive and people who want
“We expect, as the summer to stay find they have to put their
approaches, bookings will catch up coats on, they will go to the sun,”
because many people are waiting for he said.
last-minute offers,” said Vasallo. He added that Spanish destinations
“With our capacity, many of these that had been modernised, such as
bookings will go to Spain. We are Majorca, were likely to hold up well.
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