Monday, July 9, 2018
The progress in World Cup by England and increased summer temperature are turning into a disaster for the UK travel industry.
In a desperate bid to get passengers on board, airlines and holiday companies are slashing prices for departures in this coming week.
After defeating Sweden in the World Cup Quarter Final, England football team is guaranteed to be playing in Moscow on Wednesday and again in Russia next weekend.
TUI, the UK’s biggest holiday company was selling a week’s package holiday from Manchester to Marmaris in Turkey for £117. The deal, on Tuesday 10 July, included flights with 15kg of luggage, transfers between Dalaman airport and the resort, and self-catering accommodation. An off-peak return train ticket from Manchester to Torquay on the same dates costs £144. The departure to Turkey sold out during the afternoon, but other sub-£200 holidays are available – a remarkable price for high-season travel. From Norwich on Monday, another TUI holiday to Gran Canaria is available for £199. Thomas Cook is selling a week on the Greek island of Zante, departing from Birmingham on Thursday, for £222.
While on the other hand, Jet2holidays has a week at the Hotel Dalmacija in the Croatian resort of Makarska for £475, including breakfast.
The UK budget airline fares are also dropping. On the day of England’s semi-final in Moscow, Wednesday 11 July, TUI has an early-morning departure from Gatwick to Palma de Mallorca for £49, including a return flight a week later. For travellers who prefer the mountains in summer, Ryanair is offering return flights from Stansted to Grenoble on the same dates for £37.
One airline actually profiting from England’s progress in the World Cup is British Airways, which is commanding the highest-ever fares on its three daily links between Heathrow and Moscow’s Domodedovo airport. The Boeing air fares fell from the previous level of £1,049, but only to £932 return.
On the other hand, British Airways serves both destinations from Heathrow Airport. The cheaper deals are available on connecting flights, such as LOT Polish Airlines via Warsaw.
