Why are Holidays so expensive?

Doshwaster

Pollycat wrote: »

Last year we got a really good deal to Greece.
2 weeks s/c, flights, transfers, 20kg luggage each for less than £200 each.

However, we don't expect to be that lucky every time we book.

It amazes me how holiday companies can possibly make money offering deals like that.

vart400

One word. TAX. Sometimes when I book flights, over 50% of the price are UK imposed taxes, air passenger duty or fuel surcharge.
My last flight with Lufthansa to Japan cost £580, only £170 of that was for the actual tickets.

hollydays

Most of the time I put in a lot of work and get something that's great value, but I don't leave it til the last minute. If I did I'd know all the best hotels and flight times might well be gone, and I don't relish flying home at 2am.

SW17

Pollycat wrote: »

Last year we got a really good deal to Greece.
2 weeks s/c, flights, transfers, 20kg luggage each for less than £200 each.

However, we don't expect to be that lucky every time we book.

Doshwaster wrote: »

It amazes me how holiday companies can possibly make money offering deals like that.

They often don't, they are just taking something rather than nothing when they have unsold flight seats and/or beds that they have committed on.

Part of the reason that the "lates" market that people have traditionally taken advantage of is getting smaller, is not so much increased demand, but actually less supply. The major tour operators have cut capacity on committed risk, and they only discount heavily where they have unsold committed capacity. Less unsold commitments = less late discounting.