Demand for luxury vacations expected to remain high due to drop in prices

“Prices ranged from €2,000-€10,000 per person per trip. We were not affected by the world crisis, and are very confident that we will register the same upward trend this year. We expect to triple sales in 2009. This year’s turnover forecast amounts to €3 million,” said Sorin Stoica, Chief Executive Officer of the Eturia travel agency. According to the company official, 75 percent of the agency’s travel packages are to luxury destinations, and this season’s best-sold destinations include Thailand, Mexico, Aruba, and Indonesia.

“What people paid €5,000 for in the past, now costs €2,500,” said Alin Burcea, General Manager of Paralela 45, one of the top five players on the local market. According to Burcea, Miami and London are only two of the destinations promoted for the January-February period. A one-week holiday in Miami for one person costs some €1,000, while for London the price starts at €399. Burcea added that clients targeted luxury destinations such as Hawaii, Maui, Miami and Dubai for the winter holidays, paying €10,000-€70,000 for a family.