GUNNING FOR THE TOP: Royal Caribbean sales director Stuart Byron (left), Alison Earnshaw, managing director, World Travel Holdings, and Gary Lewis, chief executive, The Travel Network Group, enjoy a Top Gun experience day for trade partners of the cruise line at Goodwood Aerodrome. Royal Caribbean has an “aggressive” plan to drive sales in the final quarter of 2021 and into 2022, according to vice-president EMEA Ben Bouldin, who said a strong performance in Q4 was essential to meet targets. He said Royal’s direct sales were performing strongly, but the trade remained at the core of its strategy, with huge investment in marketing including its new ‘Royal Flush’ scheme to encourage package sales through agents. Bouldin predicted more guests would sail with Royal in 2022 than 2019, adding: “We have a very aggressive plan for 2022. ”
Agents report half-term price hikes as sales grow
Juliet Dennis
Agents keen to capitalise on surging late demand are reporting significant price hikes and tight availability for October half-term. Demand for autumn holidays has
risen sharply since changes to the UK’s traffic light system and testing requirements were announced earlier this month, with some reporting sales almost back to 2019 levels. Fred Olsen Travel head of
commercial Paul Hardwick said the recent relaxation was a “game changer”, but warned: “Half-term prices have gone up significantly with the enquiries over recent days. People want to go away and want to go now.” He said 60% of sales at the start
of last week were for 2021, with a noticeable shift in demand to land-based holidays for destinations including the Canaries, Caribbean, Middle East and Cyprus. “Our priority is to book holidays
6 30 SEPTEMBER 2021
‘Half-term prices have gone up significantly,’ says Paul Hardwick
that go in the next six months, then we get the cash and that helps the business,” he added. Haslemere Travel owner Gemma
Antrobus said it was a struggle to find affordable flights out of Gatwick for half-term breaks to Turkey, Greece and the Canaries. She said: “Prices have doubled
in Europe. Clients tell you they have £3,000 to £4,000 to spend but that will only just cover their flights.” Holidaysplease director Richard Dixon said the problem was
exacerbated by airline capacity reductions over the past 18 months and the fact fewer holidaymakers were now cancelling. He said: “Demand was always
going to outstrip availability and lead to people struggling to get a holiday on the date they want it.” Other agents reported less of
an issue, suggesting problems were regional. Mark Johnson, director of Polka Dot Travel in Shropshire and Wrexham, said trading last week had been “the best for a long time” with prices and availability at good levels. Advantage Travel Partnership
leisure director Kelly Cookes said: “Prices are rising as availability lessens for half-term, but there are still some good prices out there.” The consortium’s managed
service agents enjoyed their best week since the start of the pandemic last week with sales up 30% on the week before and trading at 97% of 2019 volumes.
Man charged with
robbing agency twice A man charged with two robberies at World Travel Lounge in Lancashire last week will be tried at Preston Crown Court next month. Tim Daley, 48, of Leven Avenue, Fleetwood, has also been charged with possessing a bladed article in a public place. Daley appeared at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court on Monday and has been remanded in custody.
Carnival UK names Myrmell as president Carnival UK has appointed Sture Myrmell (pictured, top) to succeed Simon Palethorpe (bottom) as president. Myrmell, currently Carnival Australia president, will be based in Southampton from October 18. Palethorpe is leaving Carnival UK after six years to become managing director of Haven from December 1.
Woman arrested over Buckley Travel trolling
Greater Manchester Police confirmed a 54-year-old woman was arrested on September 4 in connection with the online trolling of the boss of Buckley Travel.
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURE: Shutterstock/Blackboard
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