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| 26 March, 2009 |
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| ‘One in five’ to switch to domestic holidays |
| Comments: 6 |
Categories: Destination, Sustainable Travel, Travel Agent, Hotel & Resort, Tour Operator
| | | USER COMMENTS | | |
This is good surely...
Many of my hospitality owning clients are saying the bookings are healthy this year and the prospects are good. Well done VisitBritain for highlighting the UK to the UK and taking advantage of the situation.
Mr Bowden (below) claims it is insane. But I challenge you to add up the real costs of going overseas - waiting in the airport - travelling between locations, airport taxes, food while you're waiting, poor exchange rates etc etc.
Britain isn't as expensive as many claim and is a lot more exciting a destination than many people imagine.
Come on UK, lets up our game a bit and get the service levels up too. This country is set to have a tourism kick-start in 2009.
And the weather is going to be fantastic too- I promise.
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It's insane
Even with the high value of the Euro, a holiday abroad is still cheaper than in ripoff Britain. Accommodation, flights, general living costs, for example, in Portugal, leave Britain reeling. Not to mention the weather. I don't believe that Visit England can be so naïve as to punt this stuff.
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More than a welcome blip?
It is nice to hear that UK plc will benefit from more money spent on domestic travel bookings in 2009. But I don't suppose we'll see a "tipping point" in UK stay-at-home tourism until:
a). Summer sun is guaranteed
b). We learn to deliver consistently high service with a "customer first" attitude
c). Domestic holidays are competitively priced (not just a bargain when the sterling exchange rate favours staying at home).
While we can't do much about the weather we can do something about the other two. If service and price are ignored, then 2009 will just be a welcome blip for domestic operators.
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Karl Hendrie
26 March 2009, 14:37:02 GMT
UK Breaks Too Expensive
This is more PR for Visit Britain than factual information. 1 in 5 would consider taking a break in the UK?...well, I'd consider buying a Nickleback CD but it doesn't man I'll ever do it (I wouldn't in case your wondering) Not only are UK based holidays difficult to buy in the high street (as mentioned by Brian) they are also incredibly expensive - a late deal in Spain etc from a tour-op is still incredible value - UK need to work harder to bring prices down. Only then will a domestic break be a realistic alternative that also benefits the UK economy.
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Need a helpful hand selling Cottage Holidays?
You may be right Brian, I know of a small company who are really friendly and helpful, Cottage in the Country on www.cottageinthecountry.co.uk. They've been selling direct for 20+ years but now realise the UK trade is a viable channel. They know their product intimately and are passionate about it!
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Brian Hawe
26 March 2009, 12:27:38 GMT
But how much will come through the retail trade?
This is mixed news for the retail trade if it is true. In my long experience there is a distinct lack of knowledge amongst high street agents as far as UK tourism is concerned.
So they may have an opportunity to retain those clients who have previously travelled abroad but do they have (a)the knowledge and (b) the product available through the trade to achieve that?
Those short on knowledge need to start doing some homework about the destinations and the operators. There are some good UK operators out there eager to deal with the trade but you'll need to search them out to take advantage.
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