p20 OPS Feb12 9/2/10 14:18 Page 20
Operators
Rupert Murray
020 7921 8010
rmurray@ttglive.com
For the latest operator and supplier news, visit
ttglive.com/operators
Premier’s agents
get their skates on
Rupert Murray.
Bath Travel in the south-west and Althams Travel
STRONG demand for long-haul in the north-west converting the highest number
destinations has helped of quotes into bookings.
boost sales for Premier Premier Holidays head of sales and marketing
Holidays, which has enjoyed Debbie Goffin (left) said tactical offers with
Superbreak
its most successful January shorter lead-in times were providing the stimu-
this decade. lus for customers to book, with 48% of
The independent customers travelling to Thailand,
eyes marrieds
operator posted a for example, booking within
20.5% rise in book- three months of their depar-
ings last month, ture date.
SUPERBREAK has introduced a section dedicated compared with January But she said that
to “mini-moon” ideas on its agent website at 2009. Year-on-year sales lead-in times to the
superbreak.com/agents. to Thailand were 57% up, while those to US were longer,
The UK specialist made the move after noticing the US rose 23%. at about seven
a rise in the number of cash-strapped newly Customers have also been splashing out to nine
weds opting for a domestic mini-break rather on luxury packages, with Premier reporting months.
than a longer honeymoon overseas. a 45% increase in bookings for holidays “We have
Superbreak claims an 18% year-on-year priced between £8,000 and £10,000. seen book-
increase in the number of couples booking a UK The operator also revealed that conversion ings go through the roof, with
jaunt within a week of their wedding day. rates had risen across all destinations, with our customers eager to take
The operator also reported a 15% rise in long-haul destinations leading the way with a advantage of the great offers,” said Goffin.
requests for upgrades to four-poster rooms – a 58% year-on-year increase. “Compared with 2009, people are in a
common upgrade for honeymooners – last year Premier said independent agents were much more positive frame of mind and
compared with 2008. enjoying better conversion rates than the are looking forward to enjoying a great-
In comparison, there was a 5% year-on-year multiples, with regional miniples such as value holiday in 2010.”
decline in the number of airport/cruise port hotel
stopovers booked by newly married couples,
suggesting that fewer honeymooners are head-
ing overseas.
Sales director Ian Mounser: “With marrying
couples increasingly conscious of expenditure,
and seeking to save for their future, our analysis
shows that many appear to be more budget
conscious and are choosing honeymoons of two
to five nights in duration, perhaps planning a full
holiday in future years.
“I would encourage any agent that is
approached by couples planning their wedding
and honeymoon not to forget the potential for
UK breaks within their plans.”
Superbreak’s dedicated groups department
booked 500 hen and stag groups in 2009, repre-
senting more than 6,000 customers. SHELF LIFE: More than 170 senior staff from Thomson and First Choice’s head office
The company also specialises in booking went back to the floor in shops across the UK on the third Saturday in January to help
newly-weds overnight hotel stays at locations out on what is traditionally the group’s busiest day of the year. Customer experience
including airports and cruise ports. marketing manager Doug Glenwright spent the day at a Thomson shop in Glasgow.
20 12.02.2010
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