Inghams rebrands short break programme
Inghams has rebranded and expanded its Eurobreak programme under the new name Inghams Short Breaks.
The move comes despite the operator admitting that economic conditions could affect the short breaks market in 2008 following a “challenging” 2007.
A new-look 116-page brochure introduces long haul destinations. In total, the programme covers 43 cities and short breaks in 30 countries, featuring more than 273 hotels.
Senior product manager Neil Kewley admitted 2007 was a “challenging year” for Eurobreak as passenger numbers “stabilised”.
He added: “Overall the city break market has been static, being particularly quiet in the early season with predictions for a warm summer. This prediction never materialised and left people at home wallowing in the mud, whilst an array of sports fixtures, including the Rugby World Cup in September, over-shadowed the industry,” the company said.
“However, as we move into winter, demand is significantly up for summer 2008. In terms of duration, the average stay by a Eurobreak client is 3½ days, with destinations such as Prague, Rome, Marrakech and Istanbul raising the average duration, while ‘3 nights for 2’ offers encourage visitors to spend longer in short-haul cities.”
The leading cities for Eurobreak in 2007 were: Paris, Barcelona, Prague, Rome, Venice, Vienna, Krakow, Berlin, Salzburg and Florence.
“City breaks are normally the second or third holiday choice so the market demand depends on the economy. Currently with interest rates at the highest they have been in years there may be less disposable income in 2008 and the city break market may suffer because of this,” the company said.
“On a positive note, Amsterdam is showing signs of revival, and a number of new hotels have been added to satisfy demand, whilst in Paris the range has been strengthened with the introduction of self catering luxury apartments by the Eiffel Tower for those wanting the freedom of an apartment.”
Twelve new destinations have been added including a number of long haul cities, such as Hong Kong, Toronto, Vancouver, Low Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Boston, Cairo, Cape Town, Dubai and Moscow.
by Phil Davies
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