No-frills package hols on the horizon

TOUR operators are feeling threatened as low-cost airline Ryanair has announced its intention to get a bite of the package holiday cake by offering its own packages with accommodation, initially to Spain and Portugal.

The airline intends to become the Amazon of travel, reported Chief Marketing Officer Kenny Jacobs, and will begin next year by offering summer package holidays to tourists from the UK and Germany, the two largest package purchasers in Europe.

Ryanair also intends to offer third party services including car hire and hotels via its website and has plans to sell tickets to concerts and sports events in the near future, claiming its strategy is partly a defence mechanism to avoid being overtaken by internet giants.

Ryanair Holidays, Kenny explained, will work with Logitravel, a tour operator based in Spain, and World2Meet accommodation provider and intends to boost bookings initially by forgoing commissions.