Recent Developments in the UK's Outbound Package Tourism Market

There is some evidence of a correlation between the growth of long-haul package holidays and a reduction in the price differential with traditional Mediterranean resorts. Two factors have been identified which encourage this trend, namely the introduction of larger, more fuel-efficient planes and the ability of the holiday companies to secure favourable accommodation rates during the long-haul resorts' low season. While advances in transport technology have brought hitherto little visited tropical destinations within the budget of more holidaymakers this market has shown itself to be very sensitive to the fluctuating 'image' of developing countries: press stories of crime and political instability can quickly lead to changes in holidaymakers' preferences with consequent economic losses for both holiday companies, locked into charter contracts, and the country concerned.