Now Airtours cuts Spanish capacity
AIRTOURS has become the latest mass market operator to reduce its Spanish capacity as the destination continues to suffer a downturn in sales. But marketing director Robin Parry said there were no plans to withdraw from any resorts and expressed surprise First Choice had pulled out of the Costa Brava.
“It has been a popular resort for many years. Of course we don’t know the full reasons behind the [First Choice] decision but we were a little surprised at that,” he said.
But Parry admitted sales had struggled and that the number of holidays would be cut next summer. He declined to reveal figures. “The euro and changing tastes have both had an effect and our capacity will reflect that,” said Parry.
News of the reductions came as Airtours launched its 2005 preview brochures aimed largely at the early booking family market.
To entice early sales, the operator has axed its three-tiered system of package holidays – which ranged from the Sundeal no frills holiday to the superior Holiday Plus package – to make it less complicated for customers. “We have tried to make the brochure as simple and attractive as possible to early bookers,” Parry said.
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