28 January 2009

Forward bookings for long haul 20% down

Forward bookings for long-haul holidays in 2009 are around 20% down, according to Kuoni.

Managing director UK Nick Hughes said a huge loss of confidence among consumers in the latter half of last year has impacted forward bookings.

"According to a report by Pricewaterhouse Coopers, there has been a 20% decline in forward bookings for 2009 for long-haul travel. That would seem about right," he said.

In response, Kuoni has launched its biggest sale in 100 years, offering discounts for bookings made before February 20.

It has also extended its Kuoni Worldwide 2009 brochure until March 2010 in a bid to generate early bookings for next year.

In its long-haul report 2009, released this week, the upmarket operator said: "These are challenging times, but all the research shows that holidays are still a priority and, more than ever, people are looking for good value.

"They may be downgrading, for example, from a five-star to a four-star property, or taking a shorter trip, but customers are still travelling."

By Bev Fearis

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