Jun 08 2009
Cross-Channel Ferries doing well in recession
It seems that, thanks to the recession, the ferry industry is receiving an upsurge in popularity this summer. Families forced to cut their holiday budgets are having to turn their back on flights to far-flung holiday destinations, and cross-Channel ferry operators are seeing a bumper crop of bookings as a result.
The continued strength of the Euro against the pound is also contributing to an increase of passengers from mainland Europe, further boosting ferry ticket sales.
The ferry industry is responding to the increasing popularity of the cross-channel routes not only with welcome relief, but also with investment. LD Lines have just launched the Norman Arrow, the world’s largest fast-ferry catamaran on the route between Dover and Boulogne. The Norman Arrow will make the crossing four times a day, taking the total number of crossings on the route offered by LD Lines to 6. Not to be outdone P&O Ferries have invested a reported £282 million in two new super-ferries for the Dover to Calais route. These huge ships will have double the capacity of the ships they are replacing.
Speaking to youthanet.co.uk P&O spokesman Brian Rees commented: “Even though we are in this awful recession our passenger numbers are a little up on last year.
“The adjustments in the holiday industry suit us. Instead of paying hundreds of pounds each for long-haul flights for a family of four or five people, people are saving cash crossing with us instead. At times like this shopping around for the best value for money is important.”
Also speaking to yourthanet.co.uk Nick Stevens, spokesman for LD Lines explained how the new services from the Norman Arrow have created 80 jobs to crew the vessel and that: “We expect the number of staff in the Port of Dover to increase from 20 to around 100 over the summer, meaning a total of 160 new jobs…We expect people will favour short breaks over long-haul holidays in this economic climate and we are expecting a busy summer.”
Meanwhile Ellie Philpott of SeaFrance also spoke to yourthanet.co.uk and commented that the firm had noticed an increase in late bookings as the public shop around for the cheapest breaks this summer:
“For a family-of-four to travel to the Ardennes region it would cost £90 per person with EasyJet, more than £200 per person with British Airways, but just £17.50 per person with us.”
She also stated: “There are several factors which are making it more attractive to go to the Continent – the euro is going back up, tourist attractions over there are often cheaper than they are here and there are lovely sandy beaches in northern France which are free… Also, from July, restaurant tax in France is being reduced from more than 19 per cent to just over five per cent as they try to stimulate the industry.”
This is obviously excellent news for the UK ferry industry, managing to increase sales at a time when much of the public is naturally having to cut spending. Many of the ferry companies are also offering excellent deals to really pull in the punters this summer. Now is the time for the ferry companies to provide excellent value-for-money in order to convince these customers to use them again in the future.
