Blakes plunges in with booking offers
A range of booking incentives has been introduced to tie in with the launch of the 2006 Blakes Holiday Boating brochure.
The incentives range from 20% discounts for four-night midweek breaks to up to £100 off a second holiday when a booking of a week or more is made.
The Cendant-owned operator is also offering up to 15% off peak season family boat hire and 14 nights for the price of 11 on selected dates.
The brochure features 1,000 hire vessels including narrowboats, cruisers and yachts in the UK, Ireland and France. Short breaks start at £16 per person per night.
The operator said it had “worked hard to meet the challenges of the 2005 holiday market, mainly caused by the reduction in numbers of boatyards across the UK”.
But it added: “Contrastingly, the overseas market has been stronger with sales to France up by a near double digit percentage growth. In line with this the 2006 brochure continues to see a strong emphasis on the French and Irish products.”
Blakes is focusing on UK canals and the Norfolk Broads as areas for potential growth by adding new suppliers including Premier Canal Cruisers and Ground Waterway Voyages in Hinckley, Mid Wales Narrowboats in Whittington and Marine Cruises in Stoke.
Virtual tours of boats on offer in the programme are available to agents through the operator’s website at www.blakes-agents.co.uk.
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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