December news

Very high levels of competition rolling over from ‘Black Friday’ at the end of November that carried over to December.  Lots of cutting into commission by the OTA’s in Europe.

Overall, December continued to build on November figures, but the key is definitely Jan/Feb.  I waited until 2nd Jan in Manchester before writing/sending this and the feedback from Trailfinders in Manchester is that it is busier than it has ever been, more staff needed still as they are booming.

January and February:

I will be attending the Vakantiebeurs trade show in Utrecht next week and then Destinations consumer show in London in late-Jan.  Vakantiebeurs is a key travel show as it is attended by all Dutch agents plus other EU areas as well as key tourism bodies.  Destinations is UK agents only, but it is the main long-haul travel consumer show, so all UK agents attend with stands promoting NZ.

Late February is a Europe tour of key agents prior to ITB in Berlin.