Flying in the face of fear

Just over one million people took holidays to the sun in 2001 - a massive increase on the 896,000 for 2000. Joan Scales reports on how the travel trade is wooing back holiday makers in the wake of September 11th.

In the immediate aftermath of the events of September 11th it seemed no one would ever again want to fly anywhere. The fear factor was high. However, the human spirit is resilient and the temptation of cheap fares became too hard to resist, even with economic gloom and doom forecast. Airlines and tour operators used the carrot of cheap seats and bargain-basement special offers to get people travelling again, and November passenger numbers reached an all time high. The airlines may not have made a huge amount of money out of the exercise - and they're obviously suffering - but it kept aircraft flying.

That period of frantic seat buying at the end of the year eased the public back into the normal course of travel and a turbulent 2001 ended as the best year for the travel industry. Some 18.5 million passengers passed through Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports, up almost 600,000 on 2000.

2000 had been an exceptional year, "a blue moon year", as Joe Tully, of Tully Travel, Carlow, describes it. Expectations were that it could not be beaten, but figures now being collated show that just over one million people took holidays to the sun in 2001 - between April and October, on charter flights. A massive increase on 896,000 for 2000; 10 years ago, that figure was 250,000.

In the year when the foot-and-mouth crisis forced restrictions on travel, and an economic slowdown in the US began to have a negative effect on employment, followed by the September terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, travel agents had been preparing for a steep downturn and maybe also a little breathing space.

However, January has begun well. "Business is probably in line with last year," says Tony Brazil, president of the Irish Travel Agents Association. He also sees a little prudence on the side of the tour operators, with capacity down about 10 per cent on last year. While there will be no rock-bottom bargains this year, prices have remained steady, with few increases. Despite keeping capacity tight, if demand increases there are plenty of aircraft available for charter.

"The heady days are over, but doom and gloom is not being reflected in holiday purchases," says Don Cullinane, of West Cork Travel Worldchoice. "What's being said in the media is flying in the face of reality. People are being a little bit more conservative, taking short-flight holidays, and citybreaks, but they are still booking and if you want particular dates you have to book early."

According to Charlotte Brenner, of Falcon JWT, "we are seeing a revival and expect bookings in January to be in line with last year. Our capacity will only have marginal changes. Falcon and JWT summer packages went on sale last July and August and many families have already booked".

Direct Holidays made quite an impact on the travel business when it began selling direct to the public in Ireland two years ago. This year, it has noticed "less of a tail-off in the Irish market compared with the UK. The UK is down at least 15 per cent but we are seeing more resilience in Ireland", says Adam Morrison.

Where are people going? Not surprisingly, the traditional destinations - Spain, the Balearics, France and Portugal - are all showing strong bookings. Western Europe will benefit this year from people not wanting to travel too far from home. Destinations within three hours' flying time are being snapped up. The reverse is also true for inbound tourism, with inquiries from Europe very strong.

New schedule routes planned this year include Aberdeen, Berlin, Bordeaux, Larnaca, Swansea, Toronto and Warsaw - adding new cities to the already burgeoning citybreak market and bringing more visitors to Ireland.

Driving holidays too are showing remarkable strength. Declan Mescall of Irish Ferries says, "bookings for France are up 7 per cent on last year and that was our best year ever. The euro is also proving very attractive, especially for families, who will enjoy the price transparency and value in French supermarkets . . ." Two new entrants to the French campsite/caravanning holidays, Eurosites and Canvas Holidays, testify to the strength of the French market. The new service from P&O on its superferry, European Ambassador, will be the first from Dublin to Cherbourg. The ship will operate from June to September.

Mescall said it was too early to predict this year's travel to the UK, though November and December were exceptionally good. He feels that because of the foot-and-mouth crisis there is a pent-up demand for the UK. "The tourism industry was hit very badly by FMD and this year, to stimulate business, there will be exceptionally good value in the UK. It is also the Queen's Jubilee and many events are planned through the year," he said.

Tour operator Michael Stein, of Michael Stein Travel, reckons it is too early yet to judge how 2002 will work out. Bookings are a slightly down on last year, but he has noticed significant numbers of people making late bookings. "People are booking holidays two to six weeks before travelling, including to long-haul destinations, such as South Africa, Dubai, Egypt and Barbados. They are living in the short term and not gambling too far ahead."

MANY travellers this year, of course, are planning on following the national team to Japan and South Korea for the third appearance in the World Cup. Because of the distance and location, the cost is prohibitive to many. Lead-in prices from 747 Travel are from €3,550 for a nine-day trip to take in two matches, and 12-day trips with three matches from €3,910. Michael Caslin of 747 Travel says "we are going to base our packages in Tokyo and transfers to the matches will be included, with the match in Nigita using the famous Bullet train".

Joe Walsh Tours, specialists in the long-haul market, are basing their alternative World Cup in Thailand, where visitors can spend 12 days in a four star hotel, watch the matches the same evening and enjoy golf and the usual sun, sand, sea pursuits from €1,219

The company is confident of a good 2002. "The sheer strength of the euro against Asian currencies is encouraging Irish people to travel further afield," says Cormac Walsh. "Australia and New Zealand are very strong and the Caribbean is also hopping, due to its perceived neutrality and despite the strength of the dollar."

Not a strength that Mary McKenna of Tour-America sees continuing this year. She says the euro is going to begin to make an impact against the dollar, enticing more people to visit the US. "Despite the fact that there will be no charters to Florida this year and the events of September 11th, confidence has returned for travelling to the US. Price may have a lot to do with it, with a week in Florida on schedule carriers and including accommodation starting at €565," she says.

So, for 2002 the "fear factor" seems to have receded, the euro seems likely to boost travel, and the Irish will be on the move again - even if a lot of the travel will be a bit closer to home.

The Holiday World eXperience takes place in the RDS, Ballsbridge, from January 25th to 27th. It features more than 700 exhibitors from 70 countries. New exhibitors this year include: New York, Hong Kong, South Africa, Dubai, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago and Slovenia.