The latest package holiday sales stats for the end of January again demonstrate the huge swing towards Spanish destinations in the UK, and today a senior member of the UK travel industry admitted that the airlines are cashing in on this huge spike in demand. “They all know the demand is going to be high so they (the airlines) are just filling their boots,” the source told the Bulletin.
According to a search on the Skyscanner website, not one airline operating between Palma and any of the London airports was today offering return flights for two adults with only one set of hand luggage for under 700 euros. In fact, one no-frills airline, by the time hold luggage had been added on, was charging just over 1,000 euros for what would have been a four-day round trip to the capital.
Having been tracking the prices for the past two weeks, instead of getting cheaper, they are getting more expensive. So, with local Balearic tourism industry sources having confirmed that the current rate of demand means that the quota of accommodation which has been contractually booked by British tour operators for this summer is nearly all booked out, the airlines are going to cash in on people opting for independent holidays.
Granted, the leading UK tour operators are locked in talks with leading hotel chains to try and secure more occupancy to meet demand, but so are operators from other key countries as well. The auction is on and price is proving to be king.
Those families opting for a self-catering holiday, renting accommodation and making their own way here to the Balearics, in particular Palma, or indeed visiting friends and family, here or in the UK, are going to be in for a shock when they start looking for flights.
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The fact that tour operators who have contracted rooms fir 2016 and are "nearly all booked out" doesn't mean they have sold the rooms ... It only means they have bought them.Ian Morrison Porto Colom
The low cost carriers have just had major sales. Tourists are not going to terrorist areas. There is the ZIKA virus threat as well.The shortage of rain is keeping mosquito breeding down. Palma Airport Security, having introduced drug testing facilities. Which can be embarrassing when you go through the door scanner !!. But it sounds from this article that the Balearic's are in for a very good Season. With lots of extra revenue from the 'Tourist Tax '
Funny how greed always rears it's ugly head when those responsible think they have cornered a market because of problems with the competition,the hotels have already increased their prices from 5% up to an incredible 20% and now the airlines are seeking to cash-in,they could be left with empty hotels and aircraft if they are not very careful,people will only pay so much before they decide enough is enough and go elsewhere.