Further camping cuts at Holidaybreak
Holidaybreak has identified £3 million-worth of cuts at its poor performing camping division this year.
The specialist holidays group revealed at its AGM that while its hotel breaks and adventure travel divisions were showing increased sales, camping business was down.
Hotel breaks and adventure travel now account for almost two thirds of Holidaybreak’s activities and are expected to show further growth.
Updating performance for the first four and a half months of the financial year ending September 2005, the company said hotel break sales were up seven per cent and adventure travel was up 22%. But camping sales have shown a nine per cent decline against an 11% reduction in mobile home capacity and 14% fewer tents.
A statement said: “We anticipate achieving operational and overhead costs reductions in this division of £3 million compared to 2004. Division management remains focused on stabilising occupancy rates, optimising yields and maximising camping’s 2005 financial result.”
The company said the camping division’s management team was already planning for 2006 when capacity will be “managed to achieve profitable utilisation levels”. New e-commerce distribution channels will be further developed and costs “will be subject to further ongoing rigorous review”.
Holidaybreak revealed that the internet now accounts for more than 30% of group sales and was growing rapidly.
The Indian Ocean tsunami disaster did not have a “material impact” on the group’s financial or operational performance at its Explore, RegalDive and Dutch Djoser tour operations.
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026