13 March 2009

Center Parcs urges domestic tourism trade not to Ã¢â¬Ëœmess upÃ¢â¬â¢

The domestic tourism industry has been urged not "mess up" a one-off opportunity to turn people on to UK holidays.

The call came ahead of British Tourism Week later this month from the sales and marketing director of Center Parcs.

Colin Whaley was speaking against a backdrop of increased interest in breaks nearer home this year due to the recession and the cost of holidaying abroad in eurozone destinations.

He revealed that the company, which operates four UK holiday villages attracting 1.5 million guests a year, was on course for a record in the financial year ending in April with an average occupancy of more than 95%.

Booking volumes for 2OO9 are 4.6% ahead although on a slightly lower yield with around 70% being made online.

"This year is most definitely an opportunity for the UK trade," Whaley told TravelMole.

"Anecedotally we are hearing that people are switching from short breaks overseas to the UK."

But, speaking at the company’s Sherwood Forest village in Nottingham, he added: "Something that concerns me about the UK market is taking this opportunity to deliver quality and fantastic service.

"The whole of the UK industry needs to think about this and not mess up to make sure that people come back again."

Whaley revealed that Center Parcs is to embark on an extensive training programme for its 6,OOO staff nationwide to ensure excellence in service.

The company, which specialises in activity-based family short breaks, has overcome the final planning hurdle for the development of a fifth village near Woburn in Bedfordshire set in 360 acres of woodland.

Work is expected to start by early 2011 on the 18-month project which would give the company access to holidaymakers in London and the South East.

Center Parcs, owned by private equity firm Blackstone, has spent £130 million over two years on upgrading accommodation and facilities at its existing villages in Nottinghamshire, the Lake District, Suffolk and Wiltshire.

by Phil Davies

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Your Comments (1)

Hear hear Mr Whaley!

Amidst the concerns for a good season it is reassuring to hear Mr Whaley's long term view on the opportunity that is being presented to the domestic market...the decision for a customer to spend their hard earned money on a holiday has never been more carefully taken - failure to deliver on expectations will cause a great deal of disappointment...a tough but very realistic observation...'golden goose comes to mind''¦

By Mike Tait, Friday, March 13, 2009