NEWS
SEA AND SKI: Cruise industry leaders hit the slopes at Cruise. co. uk’s 20th annual conference, which took place in Obertauern, Austria. During the event, the specialist agency revealed the results of a survey that found more than half (54%) of new-to-cruise passengers were looking to increase the proportion of their holidays spent at sea. The top reasons cited for an increased interest in cruising included retirement and more free time (23%), avoiding the hassle of flying (19%), value for money (18%) and the convenience of visiting multiple destinations in one trip (15%). The research also found 94% of first-time cruisers were either satisfied or very satisfied with their cruise experience. The findings were drawn from a survey of more than 8,000 Cruise. co. uk and
Seascanner.co.uk customers.
Payday boost credited as trade reports strong end to January
Travel Weekly reporters
Jet2 chief Steve Heapy has backed trade reports of growing momentum after a slow-burn start to the peak sales period – as many agencies credited payday for a positive end to January. Heapy, chief executive of
Jet2. com and Jet2holidays, said sales had been “consistent” after a slow start, with the second half of January “a lot stronger” than the first. He argued the steady
credited payday for contributing to record sales of £7.8 million on the final day of January after a record month for the company. Claire Evans, chief operating
officer of Your Co-op Travel, hailed “phenomenal” figures last week and a particularly strong weekend. She said the timing of payday
STORY TOP
build-up was preferable to “sporadic good and bad days” but warned there were “potential banana skins” ahead, including increased business costs being passed on to consumers after last year’s Budget and uncertainty over US president Donald Trump’s approach to international trade and tariffs. Heapy’s report of growing
momentum was echoed by agencies including Travel Counsellors, which
travelweekly.co.uk
was likely to have played a role in increased willingness to spend but added: “The conclusion of key promotional campaigns also created a heightened sense of urgency,
driving increased bookings. “Notably, we saw a significant
volume of high-value bookings – the highest so far this peaks.” The impact of payday was also
noted by Caroline Thorne, head of travel at East of England Co-op Travel, who said: “We had a peak from Thursday which continued over the weekend. We are ahead of last year for passengers and sales volumes, so we are very pleased
with how January has performed.” La Vida Travel owner Karen
Marin Reyes reported her agency’s shops in Cardiff and Newport had seen a payday-related lift in the final week of the month, as she voiced hopes for a further boost from a cut in interest rates that was being widely tipped as Travel Weekly went to press. The Travel Network Group also
pointed to the joint impact of payday and sales campaigns on last week’s performance, with revenue 22% higher than the same week last year and passenger numbers up 12%. However, week-on-week figures
showed a 1% dip in revenue and a 4% drop in passenger numbers. Kelly Cookes, chief commercial
officer at The Advantage Travel Partnership, said the payday boost “wasn’t as strong as we have seen in previous years” across the group, but noted a 5% year-on-year increase in bookings and a 10% increase in revenue last week. She added strong sales on Sunday and Monday
suggested the payday impact could continue to be felt this week. InteleTravel reported strong
year-on-year sales last week but managing director Tricia Handley- Hughes also noted a dip in average selling value against prior year with “people looking for the best deal”. Kenneth Macleod Travel director
Juliet Gardner said the agency’s shop in Giffnock, Glasgow, had seen “buoyant sales” last month, while Scott Parker, managing director of Feherty Travel, said the Northern Irish agency’s January sales were 15% up on last year. Despite the generally positive
reports, Scottish agency Love to Travel said slower bookings for next winter had contributed to January being slightly down year on year. Owner Joanne Martin also voiced
concerns about operator-driven discounts and said she was “disheartened” to see “desperate” agents offering to match online prices for low commission.
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