Financial crisis hits holiday plans

TRAVEL agents' federation SNAV has reported a 30% drop in holiday bookings compared to the same period last year.

The secretary general of the organisation, which represents 60% of travel agents in France, Jean-Marc Rozé said: "We have a financial crisis doubled by a crisis of confidence.

"Consumers are waiting because holidays are not the most necessary thing."

Traditionally September to October is the period for booking winter holidays.

"We will have to see if this is just a simple delay in ordering or if it is a drop," he added.

The president of the centre of studies of tour operators, René-Marc Chikli, said bookings of long-haul flights had dropped between 10-20% on last year.