Agency launches ‘beat the gas bill’ long-stay packages
Gary NoakesAn agent believes she has tapped into a winning winter trend after advertising long-stay holidays to beat soaring energy bills.
Shona Thorne, owner of Thorne Travel, with two shops in Ayrshire, believes the cost of living issue will be particularly pertinent in Scotland. “The heating will come on shortly and it’ll be horrendous,” she told TTG.
Her agency has already begun advertising “Beat the Gas Bill” long-stay packages, one example being a 35-night stay in Fuerteventura for £1,200. “We are absolutely targeting these markets and it’s working well for us,” she said.
Older travellers, in particular, are expected to seek warmer climes next winter. The state pension, which is linked to the previous September’s inflation, is set to rise by a record figure of around 10% next year – but inflation in 2023 is forecast to be as high as 18% due to soaring energy costs, meaning a cut in real terms.
Thorne added rising fuel prices were an issue for clients. “It’s very much a case of people looking for alternatives and seeing they can make changes to holidays they’ve already booked,” she said. “They’re worried about the spare cash when they get back.”
Kelly Cookes, Advantage Travel Partnership chief commercial officer, said she expected a delayed impact on bookings from the energy crisis.
“We are still seeing pent-up demand and delayed departures, so it’s a mixed bag," she said. "The general feeling is cost of living is a factor for clients, but it’s not affecting bookings just yet.
"I wonder if we might see more long stays this winter as it might be a case that it’s cheaper to go away than stay at home for some.”
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