Big operators say things are looking up
Cosmos has reported a stronger than forecast start to the peaks sales campaign, with sales across brands significantly ahead of forecast and prior year.
MD Hugh Morgan of parent The Monarch Travel Group said: "We have had an excellent start to our peaks campaign.
"We went out with a very clear message for our package holidays of low deposits, great value for money and ATOL bonding, and consumers have responded to this.
"There are undoubtedly more consumers buying in peaks this year versus last year when the Queen’s Jubilee, European Football Championship and of course, Olympics encouraged some travellers to hold off buying."
Meanwhile TUI chief executive Peter Long said that, compared to previous years, there were "not a lot of negatives on the horizon". In his outlook fo the year ahead (see here) Long said the travel industry was benefiting from the incessant rain throughout the seasons that was prompting people to book holidays abroad.
"You can’t say customers aren’t spending, but they are being selective and looking for value," he said.
Cosmos claimed it was outperforming the package market, which is showing 1% growth for summer 2013.
"In fact, we had our best ever sales day on January 5, with sales for that week up 30% year on year and this week sees sales up by 50%," said Morgan, but he did not disclose actual figures.
Monarch Travel Group’s other trade brands, Avro and somewhere2stay, have also fared well in early season sales, with passenger numbers exceeding expectations, he added.
"Sales in our dynamic packaging brands are also very strong. Monarch Airlines has gone into new bases at Leeds Bradford and East Midlands airports, and has increased its aircraft numbers for summer 2013. That has allowed us to offer more flight seats to the trade through Avro, and we’ve taken additional bed stock into somewhere2stay to support the increased flying programme – it’s all adding up to be a very positive story."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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