When independent holidays do not make financial sense
Written by Karen Bryan
I discovered early on in my business that I have to concentrate on destinations in Europe that are not promoted by every other travel company and that can be reached by low cost flights so that the holiday makes sense economically. I went to Preveza in Greece in Spring 2003. I thought it was a really beautiful area however I discovered on my flight home that some holidaymakers had paid less for a self catering holiday (and the accommodation had been good) than I had paid for my flight. Although the Preveza area was exactly the sort of area I was looking to promote on my website it would cost my clients more to put together their own holiday than to book a package. This is one of the reasons that I focus a lot on Italy, a great selection of flights with low cost carriers, lots to see and do and there aren’t many cheap package holidays to Italy.
[...] Monarch is starting low cost scheduled flights from Luton to Larnaca, Cyprus on 26 March 2007. One way fares including taxes start at £70. Moves like this will mean it will begin to make more financial sense to plan an independent holiday in Cyprus. [...]
[...] I think it is difficult to predict the holiday market. I am sure that in the UK people are being forced to tighten their belts with higher interest rates, rising utility bills, reduced annunity rates. Certainly more travellers are comfortable with putting together a DIY holiday on the internet which is certainly cheaper for some destinations. I think that holidays mean different thing to different people. For some it is something to look forward to, to get you through the next so many weeks/months at work. Other people genuinely want to see or do something specific at their destination. For others it may be a kind of one upmanship, who has had the most holidays per year or been to the most exotic or unusual destination. For some families it may be one of the few times during the year that they spend time together. Companies have to understand a potential customers motivation and desire and offer a product that can satisfy these. [...]
[...] travellers are comfortable with putting together a DIY holiday on the internet which is certainly cheaper for some destinations. I think that holidays mean different thing to different people. For some it is something to lookforward to, to get you through the next so many weeks/months at work. Other people genuinely want to see or do something specific at their destination. For others it may be a kind of one upmanship, who has had the most holidays per year or been to the most exotic or unusual destination. For some families it may be one of the few times during the year that they spend time together. Holidays may be more a habit to some people, something you do so many times a year. Other people may just enjoy a change of scene from home. You may be looking for different things from different holidays. On some holidays you may just be looking for a cheap break in the sun, another time you may be celebrating a special occasion. Travel companies have to understand a potential customers motivation and desire and offer an appropriate product that can satisfy these. [...]
[...] I think it is difficult to predict the holiday market. I am sure that in the UK people are being forced to tighten their belts with higher interest rates, rising utility bills, reduced annunity rates. Certainly more travellers are comfortable with putting together a DIY holiday on the internet which is certainly cheaper for some destinations. [...]