Thomson offers more flexibility for 2004 brochure
TUI UK managing director Chris Mottershead (pictured) tells TravelMole why Thomson has introduced more shorter breaks and shorthaul destinations to its Summer 2004 brochure.
The operator says it is responding to demand for more flexible holidays by introducing two, three and four-night breaks to its lifestyle brochures. Three night breaks have been introduced for the first time to hotels in Ibiza, Majorca, and Costa Dorada.
Mr Mottershead told TravelMole demand for the shorter breaks had been strong. He added: “Although the vast majority of holidays we sell are for 7 and 14 nights, it is clear that people are changing and demanding more flexibility.
“The short break market is growing, but people want more than just city breaks. We felt there was an opportunity for us to offer shorter beach breaks, or ‘beachends’ as they’ve become known.
“Lots of changes happen in travel, but what doesn’t change is the number of days off people have from work every year. We, along with the no frills operators, are competing for a share of people’s days off work. People want to be smarter about how they use their holiday time and if it’s possible to have sun, sea and sand for a long weekend, then people will do that in addition to a one or two week holiday.”
A number of new destinations – including Sicily, Capri, Santorini and Bulgaria, have also been added.
In a bid to boost family bookings, child discounts have increased by up to 60% off adult prices for chid bookings to hotels in destinations like Corfu, Ibiza, Costa del Sol and Algarve.
Thomson has also introduced some extra longhaul flights – from Gatwick to Barbados, and from Manchester to Cuba.
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