**** Longwood optimistic for Jordan sales ****
6 May 2009
North Africa and Middle East specialists Longwood Holidays are optimistic about the future of their Jordan sales, despite reporting a slight decrease in their year on year sales of Jordan, particularly in their tailormade holidays to the country. The operator predicts sales will recover quickly once the economy begins to improve.
“With the current recession it’s understandable to see a slight drop in sales, although we remain optimistic about the future” said Alan Meadows, Longwood Holidays Agency Sales Manager. “The main decrease has been in our tailormade holidays which traditionally are considered once in a lifetime trips. With people constantly watching the pennies at the moment it’s hard for them to justify this kind of holiday. The sales we are getting tend to be at the upper end of the market from customers who aren’t under such financial strain during these tough times. We position ourselves as an upmarket operator so are really pleased with the type of customers we’re attracting.”
The operator offers bespoke multi-centre itineraries, guided tours, city breaks, beach holidays and accommodation only in Jordan. Last winter Longwood took an allocation of chartered seats to Aqaba for the first time, something it predicts will happen again this coming winter.
“Our Aqaba flight last winter proved popular as there are not a lot of operators who fly direct to the resort” said Meadows. “When this goes back on sale, Jordan becomes a much more affordable option for the lower end of the market. Our direct Aqaba flight allows us to sell simple Red Sea beach package holidays, guided tours and multi-centre itineraries that start and finish in Aqaba at a much more affordable rate to the general consumer. We predict that this will help to boost sales to above and beyond what we have previously achieved.”
Longwood has a specialist tailor-made team who are able to provide fast, accurate quotes on be-spoke itineraries to Jordan. The operator’s Jordan programme is fully commissionable at their usual high rates of commission.
“We pride ourselves on being destination specialists” said Meadows. “It’s this and the high level of service which encourages so many agents to book with us again and again. We understand with Jordan, some agents may not be particularly confident about selling the product which is why we have a team of specialists on hand who know the country really well.”
Sample Multi-centre itineraries:
Amman, Dead Sea, Petra & Aqaba
14nts from £1785
2nts BB 5* Le Meridien Amman + 3nts BB 5* Movenpick Dead Sea + 3nts BB 5* Movenpick Petra + 6nts B 5*+ Intercontinental Aqaba
Price based on 8 June departures.
Amman, Petra & Dead Sea
7nts from £1339
2nts BB 5* Le Meridien Amman + 2nts BB 5* Marriott Petra + 3nts BB 5* Movenpick Dead Sea
Price based on 7 June departures
Dead Sea, Petra & Aqaba
8nts from £1799
3nts BB 5* Marriott Dead Sea + 2nts BB 5* Marriott Petra + 3nts BB 4* Marina Plaza Aqaba
Price based on 3 June departures
All prices include return flights from Heathrow, accommodation, transfers and all taxes & surcharges.
To book or for more information, agents can call Longwood’s specialist tailormade team on 0844 770 4877 2514.
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Notes to Editors: Longwood Holidays is the UK’s leading independent Red Sea specialist tour operator, offering a wide range of holidays to the Red Sea resorts of Egypt, Israel & Jordan as well as holidays to Classical Egypt, Morocco, Nile Cruises, and an extensive tailormade programme. Longwood also operates a comprehensive Red Sea Diving and golfing programme.
Reservations: 0844 770 4877 2514 Agency Support: 0844 770 4877 2550
www.longwoodholidays.co.uk
Please contact Tara Bradberry on 0844 770 4877 2550 or
tara.bradberry@longwoodholidays.co.uk for all press-related queries.