Presenter Jacqui Berkeley explores the issue of holiday bookings.
Due to the 1990 recession, the package holiday business is in crisis, the situation exacerbated by the start of the Gulf War. Travel Correspondent, John Carter estimates that travel bookings are down 40-50%. However, ferry bookings to England, holidays to Spain and Portugal and flights to Florida are still 'pretty good'.
To counter this downturn, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board made a 'very determined effort to boost the local holiday trade'. Insights from Bret O'Hara, Jim Paul, Stephen Clip and Margaret Cunningham, show the various marketing strategies the Tourist Board employed - joining forces with Jubilee Holidays, in London, to create a comprehensive travel brochure, collaborating with the the other UK tourist boards in trying to boost the image of the UK as a tourist market and, lastly, working with the Republic of Ireland to put together an 'All-Ireland Tour'.
However, it is acknowledged that the ongoing fear of terrorism may affect people's decision on whether, or not, to holiday in Northern Ireland. Lastly, local hospitality owners are interviewed about their current situation. Paula Canning and Sam Hagen chat about the Ballycastle caravan site and how their new facilities have created a greater demand. Joe and Margaret Erwin, aand Mary McAlester, who all work in the B&B industry, suggest there is more need for the accommodation they offer, as opposed to outdated hotels.