Steve Hart: Feast of travel plans after the famine

COMMENT

It seems three long years of pent-up demand for travel is about to burst into a big year for the travel industry as brochures for holidays in Britain and Europe are released.

November is the traditional time for New Zealanders to start thumbing glossy brochures to select their trip to the other side of the world.

Until now, there have been consecutive shadows over the tourism industry with long-haul travel bearing the brunt of nervous holidaymakers wary of booking trips. Many have played it safe by either taking smaller trips or not travelling.

Foot and mouth put chunks of Britain off-limits during 2001, the September 11 terrorist attacks shook tourism to its roots, this year's Sars outbreak seemed like one blow too many and then came the inevitable Iraq war.

In addition, travel insurance companies started altering their policies leaving travellers less protection against cancelled flights and disrupted travel plans. Threats of terrorism still lurk in the background. All in all, the past three years haven't been a pretty picture.

Perhaps, with some local destinations also having a cloud hanging over them, cabin fever has set in.

There is unspent holiday money - because people simply haven't travelled as much - and the desire to get away is stronger than ever as a result.

According to one specialist travel operator, Roger Glynan, of Lion World Travel, people can't wait to get their hands on travel brochures and book their holiday to Britain.

"For three years the travel market has been stagnant, but now people are feeling more confident," he said.

"Members of our travel club - which specialises in travel to Britain - were surveyed a few weeks back and half said they are planning to travel to Britain next year."

"It's a huge increase on last year's figure when 17 per cent of our members went to Britain," he said. "I believe people can only go for so long before they feel a compelling need to visit friends or relatives.

"All the signs are there that things are getting back to normal in the travel industry for next year. Even the exchange rate is better than a year ago so our dollar goes further."

So is it going to be a bumper year for the travel agents and airlines that have worked through three years of travel turmoil?

Clare Naden of Flight Centre agrees with Glynan's survey.

"For the first time our retail staff are saying people are coming in and giving their names to reserve travel brochures, it is something we have never experienced before in such large numbers.

"And registrations for our travel expos next month are really strong. More than 5000 people have completed cards to attend, which is unprecedented."

Maggie Hunt, of Visit Britain, the country's official tourist office, says New Zealanders contacting its call centre are asking about tours of London, bed and breakfast accommodation across the country, motorhome options and entry to top historic attractions.

"But more people than ever are calling for help to trace their ancestors in Britain," said Hunt. "There are also a lot more enquiries about northern England and Scotland than in previous years."

She says the film Calendar Girls, set in northern England, has helped to promote the area with many callers asking about specific locations used in the movie. Hopefully this renewed level of confidence will include other parts of the world, too, and by next year everything will be back to the heady days before the troubles.

Having said that, has anyone tried to book a flight to Britain for Christmas during the past eight weeks? From where I sit, many families will be hard pushed to get a flight at relatively short notice so my advice is to make that call and book early (even if your holiday is for next year).

Meanwhile, airlines will need to find ways of increasing capacity to meet what is sure to be a period of high demand for air travel next year.

* The New Zealand Commerce Commission has decided against an Air NZ-Qantas merger following a lengthy inquiry.

The key reasons cited for the decision is that had the two company's merged then there would be less competition.

Commission acting chairwoman Paula Rebstock said: "For the travelling public that could mean airfares that were, on average, up to 19 per cent higher, as well as reduced quality of service and fewer flights."

The Commission has made the correct choice. But Air New Zealand does have the option to challenge the decision in the High Court. Hopefully common sense will prevail.