| An increasing number of European travel agents say | | | | destinations over the Easter break - a record 2.4 |
| they're beginning to see the start of a pick-up in | | | | million people. That number is substantially ahead of |
| sales for summer holidays. Tui, Europe's largest tour | | | | the figure for the same period last year, at 2.2 million |
| operator, has announced that its revenues from | | | | passengers. |
| tourism are expected to increase this year from | | | | Overall, however, although the number of people |
| 14.1bn Euros to 15bn Euros. It said it expected the | | | | booking traditional package holidays has increased |
| market to grow by between 3 and 5%. Tui believed | | | | over the last ten years, they make up smaller |
| sales in its three major markets - the UK, France and | | | | proportion of the total holiday market. And packages |
| Germany - would increase this summer, particularly | | | | have in fact declined this year for the third year |
| after the FIFA World Cup, to be held in Germany in | | | | running. Across the board, bookings for packages are |
| June. | | | | down five per cent over the year, though it's |
| Some travel companies are suggesting prices for | | | | believed this figure is more than offset by the |
| destinations other than Germany in June might | | | | number of people who are constructing their own |
| actually be lower than last year - precisely because | | | | 'DIY' holidays - buying flights and accommodation |
| of the World Cup. Tour operators generally dislike | | | | separately, particularly in Spain. |
| global events such as the Olympics and World Cup | | | | A spokesperson for Thomson said, "Spain is doing |
| because a higher number of people prefer to spend | | | | very well, but that is largely because we are putting |
| their time at home. | | | | more no-frills flights on. You can fly from Gatwick to |
| Manny Fontenla-Novoa, the Chief Executive of | | | | Alicante for £30, and a lot of people are |
| Thomas Cook, said he believed the Eastern | | | | buying their own accommodation to go with that." |
| Mediterranean would be his company's holiday | | | | As for the hottest destinations this year - not those |
| hotspot this summer. "Over the past two years, | | | | with the highest number of visitors, but those with |
| Spain has had a declining number of visitors from the | | | | something a little different to offer, ask ABTA and |
| UK. We thought this was to do with Spanish hoteliers | | | | they say: Brazil. |
| putting up their rates, which made Greece and | | | | A spokesman said: "A number of major tour |
| Turkey look cheap by comparison. | | | | operators have put on direct charter flights to |
| "Now the Spanish have dropped their hotel prices, so | | | | Northern Brazil. The country has so much going for it, |
| it's back in favour. Sales of holidays to Majorca are 5 | | | | including a rich and vibrant cultural heritage, amazing |
| per cent up, for example, so we think Greece is | | | | beaches, and the biggest rain forests and rivers in |
| where the bargains will be," he said. | | | | the world. Your money will also go far and who |
| ABTA, the Association of British Travel Agents, | | | | knows, you may even get to see the world's best |
| announced in April it expected record numbers of | | | | footballers play. |
| travellers to head off to European and worldwide | | | | |