Storm clouds gather over UK travel industry

June 26, 2008 | Online Travel

British holidaymakers, be warned: soak up the rays, sleep in longer and make the most of your summer holiday. It may be the last you have for a while, writes UK's Financial Times.

Tour operators, theme parks, hotels and weekend break destinations have thus far successfully ridden the wave of uncertainty caused by inflation, oil price rises and market turmoil.

The reason? The British public made sure to book its holidays early – months before Mr King’s portent of doom from Mansion House. Such was the rush for bookings at the start of the year that Thomas Cook and Tui Travel, the big two tour operators, have reported far fewer unsold holidays than usual.

But the outlook for the travel market is decidedly uncomfortable. Up until now, evidence of the resilience of the holidaymaker has kept the industry cautiously optimistic. The tour operators have been happy to report that far from being discretionary, the holiday is the “must-have” item in the family budget.

Get the full story at the Financial Times

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