A Niche Holiday

[Timbo]

After the events of the last two years both Ellie and I are in need of a holiday...in the sun, with serving staff to carry me about...I'm that tired. However on popping into my local CoOp Travel Agent I made a discovery.

"Oh yes the Norfolk Broads Brochures won't be in yet" said the agent.
I always enquire about the Broads Brochures, it's just habit.
"yes, a niche holiday. Not what you would call your 'family holiday' a National Park. When they come in they will be over there with the safari's and the like.' she continued.

So of course I made a visit to the main high street travel agents. Yup. The same. The Broads is no longer marketed as a 'family holiday'. Its a niche holiday, a specialist holiday is your 'National Park'. Not something your average family would be interested in. Thompson's asked if I was organising a 'stag do' and offered me alternatives. 

Way to go Mr Packman. More damage than Freddie Laker all with one stupid logo. 

Oh...as far as the holiday in the sun is concerned...erm I was thinking, Rome, Pompeii...you know archaeology. Ellie's thinking something else entirely.

 

[Vaughan]

I know that traditional high street travel agents have a thing called "racking" - in other words the order of priority in which companys' brochures are stacked on their shelves, and in their windows. The company which gets on best with the agency will get the best "push" for its holidays.

Crown blue line was taken over by First Choice, who re-named it "Le Boat" (what were they thinking of) and they themselves were then absorbed by Thomson.

Just out of interest I went into a Thomson travel agent in Norwich and asked for details of boating holidays with Le Boat in France. They had no brochures in the shop, and the girl behind the counter had never heard of Le Boat.

[grendel]

Tim, for a niche holiday you need to go to Al Cove

[marshman]

I think niche means small!!! 

I am not surprised travel agents, given how few are left, do not have the brochures - why would they? Just try and work out how many people would book such a holiday that way? Most people book on the internet and of the 4 main holiday companies I guess at least 60% or more book direct - Ferry are not even in a holiday brochure as they do everything direct and seem to be doing nicely thank you!

Tim - I think that is nothing to do with Mr Packman even if you do wish to blame him!!

[JennyMorgan]

Marsh, a reasonable opinion & comment but the reality would appear now to be as to how the tourist industry, and its customers, perceives the Broads. As one who has long held the belief that stag parties don't have a place on the Broads I do have mixed feelings on this one.

That blessed man has his vision for the Broads, some of which is good, but to impose one's views via the backdoor is not agreeable.  

[johnb]

We were in Norfolk yesterday for a short time, but Radio Norfolk was reporting that The Fens were showing a promotion film in a cinema, promoting holidays in that area. I think this was a preview before being released more generally. I wonder if something similar could be done to promote the Broads-by the appropriate organisation in conjunction with the larger boatyards? Just a question.

[Vaughan]

2 hours ago, marshman said:

I am not surprised travel agents, given how few are left, do not have the brochures - why would they? Just try and work out how many people would book such a holiday that way? Most people book on the internet and of the 4 main holiday companies I guess at least 60% or more book direct - Ferry are not even in a holiday brochure as they do everything direct and seem to be doing nicely thank you!

My point is, what is the purpose of a travel agent paying the rent on a high st outlet, if they don't even stock the brochures or information on a company which is owned by the same group as themselves?

[marshman]

I thought Hoseasons was owned by Wyndhams??!! (No I know Vaughan - you were talking about Tui!! )

[Timbo]

Oh I don't wish to blame Mr Packman for everything. Well not quite. I admit I do have, let's say, a problem on a professional level with the bloke. For twenty years I excavated and curated some of the world's most precious artefacts of great historical and often religious importance in landscapes both rare, precious and sacred which not only contain some of the world's most delicate ecosystems but also human populations in the most abject of poverty. Populations who are exploited by corrupt governments, big business and the occasional drug cartel,  all of them armed to the teeth, all of them expecting that their interests are respected and all of them more likely to shoot you than moan on a forum or send you a stiff letter should you fail to act or act against their wishes. 

Meanwhile back in Norfolk I'm lead to believe it's simply hell trying organise the authorities into a concerted effort to empty the rubbish bins when the top priority is clearly a name change in the name of marketing only. 

Perhaps at times I can be overly critical and have the odd whinge and moan but amateur hour seems to have lasted about ten years hasn't it?

[SEAMASTER]

My days of niche holidays to Ibiza magaluf 18 to 30 are long gone. It's saga sadness now. 

[JennyMorgan]

11 hours ago, johnb said:

We were in Norfolk yesterday for a short time, but Radio Norfolk was reporting that The Fens were showing a promotion film in a cinema, promoting holidays in that area. I think this was a preview before being released more generally. I wonder if something similar could be done to promote the Broads-by the appropriate organisation in conjunction with the larger boatyards? Just a question.

Richardsons once ran a series of TV ads, don't know if they are doing it again this winter. Thankfully the Authority can't afford to go it alone, just imagine the uncalled for propaganda!