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Anyone got any good news? – Comment by Jeremy Skidmore
We’re not far off the end of the year – and what a terrible one it has been for the travel industry.
Cadogan Holidays managing director Gary David is often criticised for talking up his company, but he’s honest enough to say how bad 2002 has been.
And he’s not alone. Speak to agents and operators up and down the country and they’ll tell you the same thing.
Several events, like the World Cup, Wimbledon, the Queen’s Jubilee and terrorism have all conspired to keep people at home.
The worrying thing is that it doesn’t look like changing much in the near future.
The market is currently as dead as a dodo and operators and agents will be clinging on to the hope that things will pick up in the New Year.
No doubt there will be some improvement when the advertising campaigns kick in and the tinsel comes down, but don’t bet on a bonanza year.
Prices are already at rock-bottom levels, people aren’t shopping and there is massive overcapacity in the market – probably to the tune of around 3 million seats.
MyTravel has survived by the skin of its teeth and you can expect the company to shrink its capacity next year as it concentrates on getting its house in order.
But there will be other casualties, probably among operators and agents.
And just wait for the fall-out when one of the many low-cost airlines goes to the wall. All those holidaymakers who are either stranded in resort or have no hope of getting a refund will at last prompt the government to reform our absurd bonding system.
Anyone got any good news?
Read previous comments by Jeremy Sidmore:
26-Nov-2002 Comment: Agent consortia should join, says Jeremy Skidmore
20-Nov-2002 Comment: Winter Bookings, by Jeremy Skidmore
13-Nov-2002 Comment: Timeshare and Resort Conference
05-Nov-2002 Comment: MyTravel
23-Oct-2002 Comment: The ABTA Convention
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