Now we all know that some people are going to say yeah,yeah fully booked but I don't want to know that as thats good for you.
How many people say in the Pays de loire area are down on bookings up against the same time last year.
Come on give me a bit of hope here that some are in the same boat as me. Don't be shy if you are just say so.
But others that are doing well, As I said please don't boast about it. We all had a dream, some have really come, good some not so good and some a nightmare.
well i am prepared to be honest.last year we did 34 weeks between 2 gites and we were gobsmacked at the response.this year we have done more marketing than we have ever done and this time last year we had 21 weeks booked.this year only 10.
i keep getting told people are booking later and later,but i am not convinced.we are on dept 86 poitou charente which is very popular for visitors,so who knows.
i will just wait and see.but don't lose hope.you are not the only one in the same boat.
lets hope we both have a good year,and those that say they are fully booked already i will take that with a pinch of salt!!!
all the best sharon
Hi
This is our 5th season & we have 2 gites - yes, the family gite is fully booked for the 7 weeks school holiday period, but they are all returning families coming for the 3rd year running, so good news, but have had no enquiries for any other weeks during the year. The 2 person gite has just 7 weeks booked (some returning couples) & again no new enquiries now for almost a month... this could be our worst year to date. Normally by early March we have at least 12weeks/gite booked & I start to offer discounts on the remaining weeks at Easter. There is another forum for holiday landlords which I shall pm you the link - it appears that Spain & Bulgaria are having good years, but France is not - could be because of the dreadful summer we all had last year, could be the falling exchange rate but more likely due to the current economic climate in the UK. Like you, we are hoping for the late bookers, but think this could be the 'difficult year' - the 'boom' couldn't last & the falling number of house hunters this year indicates that there is a possible recession on the way. We all just have to hang in there till things improve - look on the bright side, we might actually get to enjoy the summer this year with less washing, cleaning, grass cutting etc to do. Haven't had the chance to get in our pool for 2 years as have been so busy 24/7 (also it was just too cold & wet last summer) maybe I can get the swimsuit out this year......
We are in The Languedoc, been renting for 6 years, this is by far the worst year yet, normally get 20 - 22 weeks but at present only 7 weeks booked.
surely if Spain is doing well this year it is nothing to do with the euro?
There will be problems.....I guesse.This year the fuel costs have reflected in the bank A/C......
Is it cheaper to rent a gite in Spain?
The lower end of the holiday market will always be pressureised.....
I can only speak from a B&B point of view.
We have been doing B&B for six years and last year was the best ever by far. We had lots of Americans last year with few the year before. When talking to them last year they basically all said the same thing, namely that with the falling dollar in 2006 they didn't come to Europe because they thought it would improve in 2007. Sadly for them it didn't and with the possibility that it would only get worse decided to come on the basis that they may no be able to afford to in the foreseeable future. We have no bookings from Americans so far for 2008. I don't think they can afford to come.
The Brits have problems as well with the Euro and the pound being so weak so we don't seem to have so many booking. I also think that they are holding back to see if things get better.
For the Brits we must be talking about a 15% increase in their holiday bills for Euro-land at present due to the Euro with little sign it's going to get better. The large UK holiday companies are struggling to fill hotels in Euro-land and are offering good deals many of which are all inclusive and do offer much better value for money than coming to France. That is of course if you can put up with being treated like a herd if cattle.
Fortunately in the past we have not been tied in to just the English speaking world and advertise in many other EU countries and to be honest March is turning in to the best month but mainly down to the Spanish who seem to be booking well at present. Actually I should say Catalans as they all seem to be from Barcelona (which according to the Catalans is where the money is so they tell us).
The other thing to keep in mind that none Euro currencies are just a small part of the downward trend. Spain's economy is slowing down and has been hit hard with regards to property sales etc. This is because they aim at the UK market. I did notice on holiday in Spain last month that there is little activity on the building sites there. I was told that it's because house sales have dropped considerably. The French and German banks have already expressed alarm at the loans some other EU countries are getting (mainly because France and Germany supply the money) and feel that Spain, Italy and few others are gong in to recession, their inflation rate has increased and have borrowed to much.
If the above is true then the amount of guests from Euro-land will also drop although the domestic market (France) should be OK and we should see a few Germans about.
So with bookings well down for 2008 and the immediate future looking a bit bleak I think it's going to be a tough old year particularly if you rely on English speaking guests. Mind you I have seen slow starting years in the past which have come right in the end. It's a fickle business and you never really know till you have closed the doors at the end of the year and count your takings. So lets hope I am totally wrong.
I am listiening to what you say.
Much of the population of Europe.....and wealthy Americans will still take holidays...and will look for something nice.
The days of pine clad rooms are possibly over...people want from a holiday[most of the time] something more special, different than what they can get at home.
Nothing will be easy when money becomes less fluid.
Everyone tries their best to do their best.
Positive thinking is imerative.
I know that this is what works because I have had to create that enviroment to stay alive.....and all the people who have been negativc towards anyone in their past should examine their lives and make a few adjustements.
There is nothing wrong with reaching out to others for advise, communication....thats the essance of life and running a succesful buisness.
Quillan said
"Mind you I have seen slow starting years in the past which have come right in the end. It's a fickle business and you never really know till you have closed the doors at the end of the year and count your takings."
Sensible comment Quillan
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