Sussex Holiday Monitor

 

THE SUSSEX HOLIDAY MONITOR

LATE BOOKINGS FROM EUROZONE VISITORS FUEL SUSSEX TOURISM SUMMER SEASON

Visitors from the eurozone and further afield have helped to fuel Sussex Tourism, resulting in a buoyant summer season during which 88 per cent of the Sussex Tourism Partnership accommodation members taking part in the first Sussex Holiday Monitor survey reported bookings either on par with or ahead of summer 2008.

Over half attributed the buoyancy to an influx of booking from overseas visitors – many reporting growth of between 20-50 per cent in the volume of eurozone guests.  An increase in the numbers of older couples was also noted by around 14 per cent of survey respondents, while family bookings held steady.

Although more than 55 per cent said they had experienced a higher volume of late bookings for summer 2009, often within two weeks of travel, members reported that around 90 per cent of guests paid the ‘rack rate’ quoted without question. While 40 per cent of the total had routinely offered discounts of around 5-10 per cent in order to attract summer business, the vast majority said that it was rare for holidaymakers to request discounts on the prices quoted to them.

Meanwhile, despite the economic climate and health fears, cancellations were negligible.  Where hoteliers did report cancellations, they were generally attributed to illness or financial difficulties rather than fears of swine flu, “a non event”, according to Nick Head, Chair of the Sussex Tourism Partnership and a Brighton hotelier.

Nick Head, the STP Chairman, said: “Contrary to reports, cancellations have been few and far between and the general attitude among both seaside and rural hotels and self-catering accommodation was that business is brisk – even if it has often been booked very late.

The Sussex Tourism Partnership also polled members operating tourist attractions, museums and galleries and established that these had benefited from a similar influx of foreign visitors.  Heritage attractions like Brighton Royal Pavilion, Chichester Cathedral and Bodiam Castle all reported admissions well up on 2008.

In fact Mark Toynbee of Bodiam Castle said that the castle has been “enjoying its best season for very many years with a noticeable increase in visitors from abroad, particularly from pre-booked groups of foreign visitors – none of whom cancelled their visits after widespread reporting of swine flu outbreaks.” 

Sally-Ann Lycett, Chair of Sussex Tourism Partnership, is available to provide further information or to undertake interviews.  Contact Christine Ball at cball@cballpr.co.uk.