Ferries to France could become more popular

08.04.2009
ferries to france could become more popular, as one travel organisation warns that flying may become just for wealthy people.

Price and tax rises in the industry, in addition to the current economic climate, are being blamed for drops in passenger numbers by ABTA – The Travel Association.

The organisation, which represents tour operators and travel agents, says tax rises due to come in on November this year could make travel by plane just for rich people, meaning cheap ferry travel could become more popular.

Sean Tipton, a spokesperson for ABTA - The Travel Association, says: "It might get back to a situation we got back in the 1960s when flying was something only the very wealthy could do."

He says over that the recent years more people have increasingly been able to fly more cheaply, but heavy taxing on the industry may put people off.

The government has revealed plans to increase the Air Passenger Duty from November this year, with charges on short-haul flights increasing from £11 to £24.

Ferries to France could become more popular

09.12.2009
More people could consider taking ferries to france and alternative transportation because of the dissatisfaction they feel after flying, according to new research.

The World Travel Market polled vacationers and found that one in three flyers think the airport experience has got worse over the past few years, which could lead to them trying ferries to France instead.

James Freemantle, industry affairs manager for the Air Transport Users Council, was shocked by the stats and said: "I"m surprised that that is a result because as far as we"re concerned we don"t receive that many complaints. It goes against what you would expect with all the refurbishments going on."

The expert added that price is still most people"s priority but the poor service they have received is also influencing their views.

People taking ferries to France could stay in the north of the country and visit Paris as it has great cultural attractions and links which can take travellers all over Europe, according to the Independent.

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