The Penny is finally dropping!!!

[chris]

For all the wrong I'm actually pleased to see this piece of bad news. As the verizon advert says 'it's sticking it to the man'. Long may the numbers drop, then they may change their treatment of us.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-british0306dec03,0,7879564.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

[Kriz1]

I have noticed a turn toward Hispanic visiters...I've heard Spanish spoken more than British on a few visits to Universal....and I hear Disney is going to go for the Hispanic visiter more....whatever that means....

[chris]

I think what it means is that Disney have realized that the increase in foreign vacationers is going to come from the South American continent as distinct from Europe. It may also mean that Disney have seen the writing on the wall for European vacationers and are refocussing their marketing on part of the globe.

[Kriz1]

Not sure how the Hispanics feel about Villa rentals...but I think the Parks will make sure they are OK...the package holidays we get shown on the TV for the Disney area are very good.....

[haytonmac]

That maybe in the paper but then a few pages on and in the news they speak of scoring travellers..it would appear that one hand doesnt know what the other is doing!!!so has the penny dropped or dropping?dont think so!!!

[mark]

For all the wrong I'm actually pleased to see this piece of bad news. As the verizon advert says 'it's sticking it to the man'. Long may the numbers drop, then they may change their treatment of us.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-british0306dec03,0,7879564.story?coll=orl-home-headlines


Hey Chris

Nevermind the penny dropping, more like a bo---ck

[Kriz1]

That maybe in the paper but then a few pages on and in the news they speak of scoring travellers..it would appear that one hand doesnt know what the other is doing!!!so has the penny dropped or dropping?dont think so!!!

It could be travellers from other places....?

[haytonmac]

maybe kriz1 but rolling out welcome matt ...........dont think they know what one is !!!

[floridapete]

I have noticed a turn toward Hispanic visitors...I've heard Spanish spoken more than British on a few visits to Universal....and I hear Disney is going to go for the Hispanic visitor more....whatever that means....

The world market is cyclical ! Never one door (of opportunity) closes than another one opens (hopefully).

I am old enough in this thing to remember when the British market last fell (due to tourist killings in Florida) in the early 1990's. Suddenly the South Americans market was 'flavour of the month' and the parks were flooded with Brazilians, Columbians, Venezuelans, even Argentinians. There was hoards of school parties all yattering away in Spanish and Portugese everywhere ! Rental villas were being rented (maybe unwittingly) to 25 South Americans students to a 5 bedroom home (yes, in Esprit) !

South America was even being courted with regards to buying vacation rental homes and many were sold to owners with home addresses in those countries, some of whom may more recently have immigrated to Florida !

However, as you may have heard, South America, with all of the countries that are represented there, is not as stable economically or politically as the UK and Europe. So it was only a short time before governments changed, dictators were 'elected', and their nationals were forbidden to export their currency, to take vacations which needed to buy US dollars, to invest in US properties, and so the market from that part of the world died ! Since that time many of those South Americans owned vacation homes have gone into foreclosure or have been sold on.

Then it was the Japanese markets turn - but why would they fly right across America to get to Florida when they could stop off at Los Angeles and visit DisneyWorld and Universal much closer to where they had flown from ? They didn't travel in sufficient numbers to make it worthwhile.

Meanwhile, the Brits had gotten over the killings (in fact the sheriffs had tightened up on tourism crime and made some significant arrests and sentencing) and the Brits were back again, in records numbers, up to about 2000. That was the last BIG year ! Since 9/11/2001 it's all being going gradually downhill again.............to this point.

So let's see if the South American markets respond again ? You may suddenly start to get Spanish speaking guests and buyers again !

Habla usted Espanol ? ;)

[gwensvilla]

Daily Mail today page 5 - hits the nail on the head - britons turn backs on florida - excellent article - from 9/11 to attitude of immigration on arrival - to park tickets and villa owners getting hit with heavy property taxes - worth a look - or if anyone can scan it for others - Gwen
a;so American business daily (by sacremento daily journal reporter) has an excellent story on the illegals - people they need to keep and a broken immigration system - also an excellent read !!

[Kriz1]

I remember the Spanish speaking school parties...found out a lot came from Spain....
FL is again becoming the place to visit from the Cape...nearly everyone we know is going there a few times a year now....I put a lot of that down to some good offers on TV...and the very cheap air fares....

[chris]

Mark made a comment about not knowing what a welcome mat was. I suppose in a twisted way they do. Many people welcome visitors to their homes by asking them to take their shoes off before entering - guess what America does!!??
Tourism is a complex issue and Peter is right it does go full circle. But Disney and the others are not numb nuts and they are having their meetings on this 'model' or airport security/welcome. But irrespective of what they bring about, the fact is that everyone gets the same current welcome whether they are flying in from Brazil or London. I note the Brazil after the increased security checks were introduced in the USA reciprocated to the Americans with the same checks at their airports (1-1 draw Brazil vs USA).
Every dog has its day, and I think Florida is past its peak. The theme parks are not investing the same dollars that they once were in the entertainment. Disney is investing its money in timeshare - I have a friend who's a senior manager in Disney and he confirmed thats where the money will be spent.
UK tourism is still dominated by the 'package holiday industry and they will dictate where the future goes. If they get better deals in EU thats where they will focus their businesses and holidays.

[DebbieM]

Not more doom and gloom!

When we had our first daughter we took out a savings plan that would enable us to take her at the age on 10, on a holiday of a lifetime, no expense spared to Disney. In 1997 our fortunes had turned and we visited 3 years earlier than planned and then every year until we moved here in 2005.

From a very early age it was my dream to stand at the bottom of Main Street and look up at Cinderella's Castle. When my dream reach fruition I cried, yes a grown woman standing in Magic Kingdom crying and it still brings a lump to my throat when I think of that moment now. I was and still am, of the opion that the magic that Disney creates makes Florida an experience that whether you do it once or 100 times gives you a feel good factor.

OK stand back and look at it from someone involved in the tourist industry and it is all so sugery sweet and unreal. We have an annual pass and hardly ever use even through we are only 10 minutes away, if you would have told me that would be the case when we were in the UK I would have said you were mad. I imagined every possible opportunity would be spent at Disney but in real life it doesn't happen.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is that as long as there are kids there will be the xcitement of coming to Florida, isn't it every parents wish to give that experience to their kids or themselves via their kids? It is so easy to become blaze to the lifestyle we have over here and negative toward it when we are going through tough times. Yes, there will be other places that people will want to go to but I think there will always be a desire for Florida.

Personally, I hate Spain and Europe the idea of a full English breakfast and a pint of beer spring to mind. I've done many a package holiday to Spain and the Canaries, I would not do it again the accommodation was second class and not that cheap. I've camped in the South of France seen Cannes, Nice stayed in Antibes and Juan les Pin and wouldn't want to do it again - stand up loos and cold showers were OK 25 years ago but not now. OK I'm typecasting but I would rather give this a miss. The appeal of Florida when we first came here was to live like an American for two weeks I think many big tourist areas in Europe try to simulate the UK with clubs and bars - not for me.

An ex-work colleague paid me a visit in September and was staying in the Travelodge by Old Town. When he came to our home (its not that impressive) he was completely speachless (he lives in a two up two down terrace) and it brought back to me that impact Florida had that made me want to be here. He turned up in a brand new Chrysler 300 with every option under the sun - he drives a Metro at home. Even though he stayed in a motel, for two weeks he lived a dream and that's what it is and will always be about. I see the same thing happen with so many of our guests they get bitten by that bug.

Changes will happen that will make prievious visitors question the rationale behind coming back but new ones will know no different and accept the changes.

That said, there will always be peaks and troughs and places go in and out of vogue, I think if Disney thought Florida was dying they would have packed up long ago.

Lets have some positive stuff, this is all starting to weigh heavy.

Debs

[floridapete]

Beg to disagree sir (Chris) !

The Uk market is NO LONGER taken up with the package holiday industry ! That is why MyTravel (aka.Airours) are currently 'in talks' to buy the package holiday arm of First Choice - because their whole market sector is shrinking !

Since the advent of the internet and budget flights - everyone is now their own travel agent ! Less and less people are buying 'a package' - more and more people ared now buying the elements indicudually (flights, hotel, car rentals etc.) and putting their own deals together. No more 7 day segmented holidays. Fly in, fly out whenever you want ! That gives everyone flexibility !

Hence the UK/Med. package deal market is catching a BIG cold right now - as highlighted in the Sunday Times yesterday.

Now, if only some enterprising person (like Freddie Laker did in 1980) would start up a transatlantic 'cheap airline' which would serve Florida ! That is the only thing which I can see would turn the UK market in the foreseeable future.

But I fear that the big guns of the industry, the Virgins, BA's and the US carriers, just wouldn't allow it ! They would kill it off with bureaucracy and regulation.

[Emmalee25]

www.flyglobespan.com

they already have!!! we flew with these lot last time and paid 99GBP each to come to Florida!

Em x

[Kriz1]

Some good prices there...I may get to fly back to the UK after all....

[floridapete]

www.flyglobespan.com

they already have!!! we flew with these lot last time and paid 99GBP each to come to Florida!

Em x

But only flying from Glasgow or Belfast to Orlando won't hack it for the Uk market !

Hopefully they will spread those flights to their other airports of operation in time ? If they are allowed to !

[Emmalee25]

But only flying from Glasgow or Belfast to Orlando won't hack it for the Uk market !

Hopefully they will spread those flights to their other airports of operation in time ? If they are allowed to !

We hired a car and stayed in a really nice hotel at Glasgow airport, the drive up was nice and quiet and scenic and it still cost hundreds less than flying with our usual faves....Virgin!
Most of my family and friends are making the treck to be honest!!! and Flyglobespan are currently bidding on a flight path from manchester!! so all is not lost :)

Em x

[chris]

Peter,
I don't disagree that the tourism market has changed - you said it yourself. But I do believe that after the late 80's and early 90's when we saw an increase in the 'independent traveller" and I would put myself in that category, along came high flight costs and once again, the package industry cornered the market in sensibly priced flights. I know of many regular independent Florida vacationers that started giving it a miss simply because the flights were so expensive. We are seeing the likes of Globespan attacking the budget end of the transatlantic, but that's a road Sir Freddie went down years ago and lost. I hope Globespan are successful.
I don't disagree either with Debbie and her remark about the magic of Disney (lets be distinct about Disney and not Florida though). There is something about that first visit. But how many parents want to put up with the hassles and hoops they have to jump through thrown at them by the greeters at the airport. No matter how enticing a vacation is, there is a limit to what people wil put up with and I think the article did highlight that many Brits have had as much as they can take. I didn't write the article.

[anniefromessex]

Very interesting reading from you Chris and Deb.

I too have heard that people are put off by the reception they receive in Orlando, in fact when I came back here in October the people standing behind me were talking about it and they were saying how offputting it was - especially to people who had never been before. The other thing I find people amazed at is the fact you have to put your bags bag on after you have picked them up - nobody really explains fully why that is and I have watched peoples faces when they have to do it - they look as though they are never going to see them again!!

With regard to Disney, we have been here with youngish girls, in their early 20's who have cried when they saw the castle etc and the amazing thing is they still do!! To some, who believe in magic - which we on this site no longer believe in because we have had to start to live in the real world - they carry on believing and seeing all that is magical, whereas we now have to get on with the real job of working, earning the dollars and paying increased property taxes, electricity and health care!!! Oh, how cynical you have become Annie - I think I have just started to grow up and I am now, well you know a lady never reveals her age, but I'm no lady, so I am going to reveal it to all and sundry - 55 (going on 105)!!

Ho ho ho, happy Christmas everyone.

Anniexx

[Susie]

Beg to disagree sir (Chris) !

The Uk market is NO LONGER taken up with the package holiday industry ! That is why MyTravel (aka.Airours) are currently 'in talks' to buy the package holiday arm of First Choice - because their whole market sector is shrinking !

Since the advent of the internet and budget flights - everyone is now their own travel agent ! Less and less people are buying 'a package' - more and more people ared now buying the elements indicudually (flights, hotel, car rentals etc.) and putting their own deals together. No more 7 day segmented holidays. Fly in, fly out whenever you want ! That gives everyone flexibility !

Hence the UK/Med. package deal market is catching a BIG cold right now - as highlighted in the Sunday Times yesterday.

Now, if only some enterprising person (like Freddie Laker did in 1980) would start up a transatlantic 'cheap airline' which would serve Florida ! That is the only thing which I can see would turn the UK market in the foreseeable future.

But I fear that the big guns of the industry, the Virgins, BA's and the US carriers, just wouldn't allow it ! They would kill it off with bureaucracy and regulation.


Hi'

Have to agree , sadly with your post, unless something is done to kck start the market many high street tour ops will go under before long

More and more people want total control and shop till they drop on the internet and making their own packages for the cheapest possible deal.

Clients have the upper hand and are calling all the shorts whereas prior to 9/11 the boot was firmly on the other foot

I would really love to know what, if anything is being done to kick start interest and get more visitors to the USA

[floridapete]

The reason for double handling of baggage at MCO is simply due to the logistics and layout of the airport - deboarding at a 'satellite' before going through immigration, first baggage pick-up and clearing customs before handing baggage back, then exitting secure area and taking the people mover to the main airport terminal to collect bags second time off the carousel.

This is peculiar to International Arrivals because they have to clear Immigration and Customs and exitting security. Domestic arrivals do not ahve this problem as they are not required to clear these areas with their baggage. Their bags go direct to Baggage Claim.

But what would you do with all those bags if they were not taken off you 'for your convenience' ? You wouldn't be able to get them all into the people mover would you ? It would be hell in there - rather than an enjoyable ride (with Disney-style voice over). The bags are (as you know) transferred to little baggage trains and delivered to the main terminal carousel (sometimes caught in a rainstorm in between and if there is a lightning storm the baggage handlers will just stop work until it passes).

Yes, it's very annoying and I have been annoyed with most of you over the years. But until the new International Arrivals Terminal is finished sooner .....or later......there will be no alternative to double-bagging in the foreseeable future.

[chris]

I agree Annie from Essex, adults do cry at Disney these days, though usually when they are paying for the tickets!!
As far as the crazy luggage system at Orlando - the 'now you see it, now you don't'. It's because of the physical layout. You arrive at one of the hub gates and then you travel to the main terminal bulding. You travel by train, your luggage travels by conveyor. It's because you do customs/passport at that gate hub that you have this silly system. If customs/passport was in the main terminal you'd only pick up your luggage once. I guess the designers knew what they were doing . My only question is what were they on at the time?
I remember flying out of Liverpool airport in the 70's and giving them my luggage. I watched them push the cases through a slatted vinyl screen on to what I thought would be a conveyor like everyone else. No, it was straight onto a trolley. The gap was straight onto the tarmac. Crude but effective.

[Kriz1]

I don't really have that much of a problem with the ticket prices..but I know some Americans do...after going to a few Theme parks in the UK in my time...the parks in Orlando are still good value for the money...people just want more for less nowadays....mostly because wages are not going up...I use my yearly ticket so much to get into Universal...it works out at $1 a time...if it were a once in a lifetime holiday...which I have had in the past...then cost does not come into it...