News

Latest booking figures from Haven reveal a 60% rise in seven-night bookings across its Parks for May half-term, as tens of thousands of families decide to holiday at British resorts this spring.

Following a survey of its members and business partners, Advantage unveiled its findings at its annual conference, which showed that both online business and people booking later were a growing trend in holiday buying habits. The survey also revealed that the top three factors which determined a holiday booking were price, agent service and agent destination knowledge. John Peters, director of Monkey Business reviewed the consortiums key developments over the last 12 months and questioned Advanatge CEO, John McEwan on the findings of the results and how he intends to evolve going forward.

Peters said: "Factors influencing future business include increasing numbers of customers booking online, an economic downturn, price discounting, rising business overheads and customers vulnerability, as we have seen with the ash cloud. Arguably there will be fewer people in business if we look at future predictions based on these findings, but the ones that survive will be stronger."

McEwan told delegates that feedback from the survey has helped the consortium determine how it has performed and what needs to change. He said: "Our overall rating was eight and a half out of 10. I would like this to be nine and a half rather than a perfect 10 as we would be in danger of becoming complacent.

"Over the last 18 months we have attracted more than 140 new locations and companies and lost 30 in the same time. We respect the independents and see Advantage as being a kitemark that encourages companies to retain their identity and encourage them to grow.

"We set high standards to attract quality members. Our turnover is ?3billion a year, which is three times more than any other consortium. However, where others have a physical presence in more countries, this is something that we would also like to develop for members looking to pursue multinational business."

Ther survey revealed that agents found the key benefits of being part of Advantage as clear better terms, marketing and the ability of its central team.

McEwan said that one of its aims going forward is to continue to attract quality members.

He said: ?People are being more and more attracted to us by what we do on marketing, as well as on the commercial side. We have made good progress on price match guarantees. Our agent-friendly programme which marks operators on their service to agents is well received and we also use this as a quality control tool.

"My predictions are that VAT will increase with the new government and 2011 will be quite difficult year, as consumers experience the impact of this. The good news is that holidays are high on the priority list for consumers. Our next objectives are to get the best possible deals for our members to ensure they get the best margins for their business. We are never going to become complacent and are looking at developing our marketing strategies to attract quality members. We are also developing our technology including a new Website for agents plus a new hotel programme."

Peters said: "Factors influencing future business include increasing numbers of customers booking online, an economic downturn, price discounting, rising business overheads and customers vulnerability, as we have seen with the ash cloud. Arguably there will be fewer people in business if we look at future predictions based on these findings, but the ones that survive will be stronger."

McEwan told delegates that feedback from the survey has helped the consortium determine how it has performed and what needs to change. He said: "Our overall rating was eight and a half out of 10. I would like this to be nine and a half rather than a perfect 10 as we would be in danger of becoming complacent.

"Over the last 18 months we have attracted more than 140 new locations and companies and lost 30 in the same time. We respect the independents and see Advantage as being a kitemark that encourages companies to retain their identity and encourage them to grow.

"We set high standards to attract quality members. Our turnover is ?3billion a year, which is three times more than any other consortium. However, where others have a physical presence in more countries, this is something that we would also like to develop for members looking to pursue multinational business."

Ther survey revealed that agents found the key benefits of being part of Advantage as clear better terms, marketing and the ability of its central team.

McEwan said that one of its aims going forward is to continue to attract quality members.

He said: ?People are being more and more attracted to us by what we do on marketing, as well as on the commercial side. We have made good progress on price match guarantees. Our agent-friendly programme which marks operators on their service to agents is well received and we also use this as a quality control tool.

"My predictions are that VAT will increase with the new government and 2011 will be quite difficult year, as consumers experience the impact of this. The good news is that holidays are high on the priority list for consumers. Our next objectives are to get the best possible deals for our members to ensure they get the best margins for their business. We are never going to become complacent and are looking at developing our marketing strategies to attract quality members. We are also developing our technology including a new Website for agents plus a new hotel programme."

Advantage Travel Centres demonstrated its new Travel Gateway Website at its conference in Lucerne, which is being launched to offer competitively-priced flights, accommodation, ancillaries and holiday packages from preferred suppliers. The consortium collates pricing and content from preferred suppliers into one central system allowing agents to search and book via a new, browser-based booking engine. Members will also have the ability to manipulate their own margins to maximise their profit and respond to market conditions. The new system is currently being piloted before its launch in August and there will be no joining fee, set-up fee or monthly fee for members although transaction charges will apply for some products.

Julia Lo Bue-Said, director of leisure at Advantage Travel Centres, said: ?Advantage Travel Gateway gives us more control over product where we can source and include inventory, offers and rates from partners including some exclusive content for our members. Giving a single point of access to such a breadth of product will speed up the selling process for members saving them time and making them more money. Ultimately we envisage Advantage Travel Gateway will provide members with a comprehensive product range to satisfy all their product needs. Members will have the ability to search and book single components, dynamically packaged content as well as third party tour operator holidays.?

The consortium is working in conjunction with Multicom who is providing the technology. Next years Advantage conference will be held in Madrid in September.

MSC Cruises is extending its ?Cruise for a pound? promotion due to popular demand, with the offer expanded to include all 11 ships in the fleet, sailing more than 80 itineraries on 405 sailings.

Chanin Donavanik, CEO Dusit International said:

We are extremely saddened with the past week?s events in our city. Dusit is, and always will be, a beacon of the Thai hospitality industry. We appreciate all of the support and encouragement we have been receiving from around the world for our Dusit Family and all Thais. In this our 40th anniversary year, we have always been dedicated to providing the local and international community with unsurpassed levels of service and comfort, an icon for all Thais and visitors to the Kingdom. Although Dusit Thani Bangkok is currently closed to arrivals until May 24 we can assure you that we will be back even stronger than ever and we will rebuild confidence in Thailand?s future.

We are extremely saddened with the past week?s events in our city. Dusit is, and always will be, a beacon of the Thai hospitality industry. We appreciate all of the support and encouragement we have been receiving from around the world for our Dusit Family and all Thais. In this our 40th anniversary year, we have always been dedicated to providing the local and international community with unsurpassed levels of service and comfort, an icon for all Thais and visitors to the Kingdom. Although Dusit Thani Bangkok is currently closed to arrivals until May 24 we can assure you that we will be back even stronger than ever and we will rebuild confidence in Thailand?s future.

Ferry companies are reporting a significant upsurge in interest from passengers faced with travel uncertainty from both volcanic ash and strikes by British Airways staff.