(Originally published in TOURISM)
More clients from the UK are calling Canadian operators at the last minute for trips in August, and a quick survey by the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) of UK-based operators selling Canada is confirming there much activity in that market, according to CTC-UK’s managing director Maggie Davison.
“I think the summer is really shaping up very well," says Davison. "We are actually showing a lot of last minute bookings in the period four to six weeks prior to departure. I believe much of it has to do with the UK weather, which has been absolutely atrocious so far this summer; we have had nothing but rain. The newspapers are splattered here with people booking at last minute and going away to get some sunshine and a change of scenery. We are certainly reaping our share of the benefit from that.”
Davison says customers are waiting until closer to their departure date before booking. “Now, even with long haul customers, we are seeing bookings four to six weeks out, which is quite strange for long haul destinations because people tend to book further out,” she notes.
In an informal survey of operators, the CTC‑UK noticed a definite increase in bookings year over year, with a trend showing Western Canada doing very well, Davison says. “Everyone seems to be on the Rockies. We talked to the airlines; Air Canada and other airlines are reporting record loads, certainly on scheduled flights, and our charter airlines are doing well. We have plenty of lift going to Canada this year. The price is right. We are tracking about 4% up year over year (2006 to 2007) so far. 'Buoyant' is how I would describe the market at the moment.”
Davison is confirming that the message is getting out: “People are starting to see Canada under a new light. It would be nice to see how the age groupings are evolving (and whether we are attracting more of that younger customer segment). We will find out over time. One thing is certain: when we talk to people now, we don’t always get the same responses we used to,” she says. "The perception that Canada is cold and meant for people 55 and over is no longer the norm," she notes. “The younger people have started to talk about Canada as a place to go. It is coming up on the popularity list. That is where we want to be.”
More clients from the UK are calling Canadian operators at the last minute for trips in August, and a quick survey by the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) of UK-based operators selling Canada is confirming there much activity in that market, according to CTC-UK’s managing director Maggie Davison.
“I think the summer is really shaping up very well," says Davison. "We are actually showing a lot of last minute bookings in the period four to six weeks prior to departure. I believe much of it has to do with the UK weather, which has been absolutely atrocious so far this summer; we have had nothing but rain. The newspapers are splattered here with people booking at last minute and going away to get some sunshine and a change of scenery. We are certainly reaping our share of the benefit from that.”
Davison says customers are waiting until closer to their departure date before booking. “Now, even with long haul customers, we are seeing bookings four to six weeks out, which is quite strange for long haul destinations because people tend to book further out,” she notes.
In an informal survey of operators, the CTC‑UK noticed a definite increase in bookings year over year, with a trend showing Western Canada doing very well, Davison says. “Everyone seems to be on the Rockies. We talked to the airlines; Air Canada and other airlines are reporting record loads, certainly on scheduled flights, and our charter airlines are doing well. We have plenty of lift going to Canada this year. The price is right. We are tracking about 4% up year over year (2006 to 2007) so far. 'Buoyant' is how I would describe the market at the moment.”
Davison is confirming that the message is getting out: “People are starting to see Canada under a new light. It would be nice to see how the age groupings are evolving (and whether we are attracting more of that younger customer segment). We will find out over time. One thing is certain: when we talk to people now, we don’t always get the same responses we used to,” she says. "The perception that Canada is cold and meant for people 55 and over is no longer the norm," she notes. “The younger people have started to talk about Canada as a place to go. It is coming up on the popularity list. That is where we want to be.”
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