North cheers up by booking 2009 break

Aug 13 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

HOLIDAY bookings at a travel company are surging ahead for next year as it looks to build on a successful 2008.

Newcastle group Dawson & Sanderson expects to see turnover pass the £100m mark for the first time this year, up 10% on last year.

But the company says it is also witnessing an unprecedented demand for holidays for 2009, with summer bookings for next year up 35% and winter bookings up 10%.

Managing director Chris Pattison says part of the surge in demand can be accounted for by a one-fifth fall in the number of holiday flights available from the region’s two main airports.

He said: “There has been a reduction of flights available across the North East this year which has meant that there are less late bookings to be had and they are now looking to 2009.

“People are booking well ahead for holidays next year, which is totally against the trend. When you look at the national picture, there’s a lot of talk of people choosing to stay in the UK, but we’re certainly not finding that to be the case.

“We have managed to get our business for this year in early. It is the late booking companies who are suffering this year.”

He also believes North East people are proving resilient in the face of rising prices and the economic downturn.

“Historically the North East travel trade performs well when the general economic position worsens. I think people like to have something to look forward to.

“There is definitely a feeling that people are booking ahead because they want something to look forward to – I suppose they are sick of the economic doom and gloom.”

He said: “It’s a market that always books early, but this year it’s the busiest it has been for many years.”

Dawson & Sanderson, owned by the Dawson family, was established 45 years ago. It employs 220 people at its Newcastle head office and 22 branches.

Mr Pattison said: “Bookings are up by 4% this year with turnover up by 10% and we expect to see turnover for this year reach £100m.”

Dawson is the second independent North East travel company to say it is defying the sector’s gloom. Hays Travel, of Seaham, has said it expects to increase turnover 20% this year.

Travel industry commentator Ed Robertson, of Travel Weekly magazine, said this year’s market was thought to be down 3% to 4%, although some agents have reported growth of up to 10%.

Last year there was consolidation in the market place as Thomson and First Choice merged to form Tui Travel and Thomas Cook and My Travel merged.

This has resulted in less capacity – meaning fewer late bookings are available – and higher prices. Thomas Cook and TUI are today expected to announce solid summer bookings, despite the consumer downturn.