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Post by artisans on Feb 19, 2009 10:18:34 GMT 2
The world recession will inevitably change the fortunes of many companies, not least in the travel industry. When it all shakes itself out, the strong companies will be stronger and weak ones will be no more. Two examples are already with us:
The English Channel's pioneering low cost car ferry service, Speedferries has collapsed following its experiment to introduce low cost car ferry services between the UK and France. On the other hand, both Air Berlin and Bmi Baby are expanding their fleets and finding new routes.
The only thing about the future we can be certain of is that it will be different than today. When the politicians and the banks have sorted it all out, let's hope that there are more and better opportunities to visit Roda.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2009 19:03:36 GMT 2
Today the Greek National Tourist Organisation published a triple bill regarding tourism to Corfu. In 2008 there was a 20 - 30% drop in visitors from Britain. It appears that their concern was based around the costs of hotels and accommodations as they were asking hoteliers to keep prices low or even reduce. Personally I do not think it is the hoteliers themselves, but the British Tour Operator and their extortionate prices they charge us with very negligible payemtns to the hoteliers. What is it, around €6 - €8 per room or person per day, or something like that, is paid out of what we pay for the holiday.
What is needed now is for Greece to do the same as Spain and to ask the Greek Tourist Minister to underwrite the costs of flight to Corfu.
Have a look at the CORFU TODAY the online newspaper for the full story.
Incidentally, we use to travel with Speedferries, and could see that they were making a big error on a route where the competition was at its greatest. Had it been elsewhere, it would have probably been better off. I keep my eyes on Air Berlin. It is a good company and a very cheap option to Corfu, but it is the long waits at Dusseldorf.
Yeiamas, Chris
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Post by petra on Feb 19, 2009 21:37:04 GMT 2
hi Chris, Don't know about the flight from the UK to Germany and the waiting time....... BUT we were absolutely (pleasantly) surprised when we flew Air Berlin and departed from Dusseldorf Airport last summer!! What a difference with Schiphol Airport and the Dutch airlines. We felt very welcome in Germany. The parking at the airport was far less expensive, the check-in was not as chaotic as in A'dam, as was the passportcontrol /luggage-control. The route to the gate(s ) was short and went right trough the dutyfree shop and the flight was ok. The stewardesses were very nice and they speak english aswell.. So we had a relaxt start of our holiday, even the journey by car was more quiet (restful??) because we didn't have to drive to the western part of holland (I hate the traffic there)..
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Post by artisans on Feb 20, 2009 10:01:48 GMT 2
Following yesterday's promising news about Bmi Baby flights, it now appears that they are about to abandon certain routes prior to their imminent takeover by Lufthansa.
The airports who will suffer most are Teeside & Leeds Bradford, together with reductions at Amsterdam, Dublin, Brussels and Aberdeen.
The shakeout begins ..
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2009 13:07:40 GMT 2
Hi Petra.
Doing some searching last year on alternative routes to Corfu from the UK, I was looking at Air Berlin, which as you say shows good flights to Corfu, at very good prices. Having used those airports you mentioned I was keen to look further. The crunch came was using LTU, to get from the UK to Dusseldorf, which in itself was no problem, but the gap between arriving on LTU and departing on Air Berlin was horrendous. I think it was a case of arriving around 9pm one night, and not departing until mid afternoon the next day. The money saving factor was good, but I wondered if warranted the wait time.
I am now hoping with Air Berlin giving more routes, this might change this with a more suitable arrival time, nearer to the departure time, or better still a direct flight from the UK to Corfu.
Yeiamas, Chris
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