Pakcage Holidays versus booking independently.
Sep 8th, 2009, 04:43 AM
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Pakcage Holidays versus booking independently.
I have been on other forums where the discussion has truned to the topic of booking a package holiday ad the effect of the current economic climate on hotel owners. We all love a bargain and I am the world's worst for trawling the internet to save money here and there but I wonder if we are right in doing so in view of what I have read in other places.
Many times if you go onto a hotel website and put in the number of days you wish to stay you will come up with a figure which may be the same as or just slightly less than the price of the total package via a tour operator. Obviously they buy in bulk and therefore negotiate deals with the hotels. It seems in the current climate that the tour operators are negotiating hotel owners down as much as possible. So much so that many of them are getting no more than a few pounds a night for each customer. What does that do to the levels of customer care we can expect when we arrive, I wonder?
Increasing numbers of bad reviews for hotels regarding quality of food, cleanliness, things not working in the rooms etc. could this be because the hotel owners feel that we are not paying the due rate for the services we are asking? If your house was inundated with guests would you give them the finest cuisine, spotless rooms and fluffy towels, clear up their poo and sick etc just for a few pounds a night and of coure smiling all the while and acting as though they are the most important people in the world.
I wonder if, in our chase for ever decreasing prices we are guaranteeing low standards of service for oursleves in the future.
Many times if you go onto a hotel website and put in the number of days you wish to stay you will come up with a figure which may be the same as or just slightly less than the price of the total package via a tour operator. Obviously they buy in bulk and therefore negotiate deals with the hotels. It seems in the current climate that the tour operators are negotiating hotel owners down as much as possible. So much so that many of them are getting no more than a few pounds a night for each customer. What does that do to the levels of customer care we can expect when we arrive, I wonder?
Increasing numbers of bad reviews for hotels regarding quality of food, cleanliness, things not working in the rooms etc. could this be because the hotel owners feel that we are not paying the due rate for the services we are asking? If your house was inundated with guests would you give them the finest cuisine, spotless rooms and fluffy towels, clear up their poo and sick etc just for a few pounds a night and of coure smiling all the while and acting as though they are the most important people in the world.
I wonder if, in our chase for ever decreasing prices we are guaranteeing low standards of service for oursleves in the future.
Sep 8th, 2009, 05:25 AM
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<< Many times if you go onto a hotel website and put in the number of days you wish to stay you will come up with a figure which may be the same as or just slightly less than the price of the total package via a tour operator >>
Perhaps I look at the wrong tour packages but I can book hotels for 2 weeks that are substantially less than a package tour. Recently I looked at a 13 night trip to Poland, Czech Rep, etc. for $2,000. I can certainly find accommodation for much less than $2,000 for 13 nights.
In fact, I find that package tours are currently very over priced. They may not raise their prices over the years but they do cut out included tours and make them optional at high prices and tour operators reduce the number of included meals. At first glance tours may look cost effective but once you read the fine print they are quite costly.
When I book independently I do not find any degradation in quality or cleanliness, even in budget accommodations.
Perhaps I look at the wrong tour packages but I can book hotels for 2 weeks that are substantially less than a package tour. Recently I looked at a 13 night trip to Poland, Czech Rep, etc. for $2,000. I can certainly find accommodation for much less than $2,000 for 13 nights.
In fact, I find that package tours are currently very over priced. They may not raise their prices over the years but they do cut out included tours and make them optional at high prices and tour operators reduce the number of included meals. At first glance tours may look cost effective but once you read the fine print they are quite costly.
When I book independently I do not find any degradation in quality or cleanliness, even in budget accommodations.
Sep 8th, 2009, 05:40 AM
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What you say is very interesting. In my personal expereince last year I managed to get a package deal with flights from Gatwick to Zakynthos, transfers and accommodation for the price of £389 for two people for a week. Taking out the cost of the hotel transfer, the rep and the flights for 2 I couldn't help but wonder how much the hotel owner was actually getting out of this deal. Luckily the hotel and its staff were exceptional.But since then we have had the credit crunch and I wonder what their deal is with the tour operator now.
I have rarely managed to construct an package myself which is cheaper than a tour operator package as the cost of flights and accomdation booked independently always seems more to me.
I have rarely managed to construct an package myself which is cheaper than a tour operator package as the cost of flights and accomdation booked independently always seems more to me.
Sep 8th, 2009, 05:51 AM
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I have taken trips both ways. But remember the cost of transfers. Fine if you are staying in one or two places.headache if you are not driving and have many transfers. Package tour meals are horrible so don't bother considering the meals included!
Sep 8th, 2009, 05:58 AM
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Perhaps we're talking about 2 different types of packages. Yours looks like an air/hotel/transfer package. I usually book fully escorted packages, when I do book a tour.
Most hotels would prefer to have their rooms booked rather than remain vacant. A sparsely booked hotel does not look good to those who lodge there - human nature being what it is, there is a signal that the hotel is inferior if not almost or fully booked (much like restaurants with no one dining). Hotels are already paying their staff, taxes, heating and lighting in common areas so even at low rates they are probably making a profit. There is also potential add on revenue that may occur with more patrons - mini bar, restaurant attendance, laundry, etc. And the possibility of repeat visits, independently, by those who have frequented the hotel.
At home, hotels offer weekend packages at substantially reduced rates rather than have the rooms remain empty.
Most hotels would prefer to have their rooms booked rather than remain vacant. A sparsely booked hotel does not look good to those who lodge there - human nature being what it is, there is a signal that the hotel is inferior if not almost or fully booked (much like restaurants with no one dining). Hotels are already paying their staff, taxes, heating and lighting in common areas so even at low rates they are probably making a profit. There is also potential add on revenue that may occur with more patrons - mini bar, restaurant attendance, laundry, etc. And the possibility of repeat visits, independently, by those who have frequented the hotel.
At home, hotels offer weekend packages at substantially reduced rates rather than have the rooms remain empty.
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lowell
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Sep 19th, 2003 12:57 PM
