San Stefanos 2010 - Booked!

[Zimmer]

Well you have been to two great resorts now - Zim!
Trouble is that for you - it will be downhill from now on!! LOL

"Your days are numbered....so are mine"
Dylan "Mississippi"

[Jules]

This piece of info is especially for all the Regs on here:

As you know we've now booked our 2010 stay with Dimitris at Fedra Mare, but through the last week i emailed a number of places in San Stef.

Received a reply from the Little Prince today, informing me that they are handing over ALL bookings to Thomson from 2010; no private bookings at all. If you guys already knew this, then apologies, but i thought i'd let u know in case any of you were considering Little Prince for next year as a private booking.

TUI/Thomson on the 'sweep up' in San Stef??!!

We heard this whilst we were there in September. Apparently Thomsons made them an offer they couldn't refuse.
Also some of the owners are asking more for deposits as a few have had people not turn up this year after booking with either no deposit or just a small deposit.

[Bristle Boy]

Oh right! I paid a 40% deposit for the Fedra Mare booking for next June, but the overall price is such good value it was worth it.

Just seems a shame that Thomson's appear to be using their financial muscle in San Stef; how long before other hotel/apartment owners are 'bought'?!

[tonyco1]

Ever since we have been going there from when Thompson's first got their noses into S S, they have used their financial bullying tactics!
Some years they left Apartments empty, and sent holidaymakers elsewhere, to the detriment of the village in general.
They even made it difficult to book!
But the big problem in a recession is that more people will default to the smaller private owners in S S!
This makes the vulnerable owners who need guaranteed cash-flow to survive, sitting ducks for Thompson's, and who can blame them for that!!
Overall - it will cost us all a bit more each year, especially as S S is now more popular, with return visitors -
Thompson's must love it!!

[Zimmer]

Ever since we have been going there from when Thompson's first got their noses into S S, they have used their financial bullying tactics!
Some years they left Apartments empty, and sent holidaymakers elsewhere, to the detriment of the village in general.
They even made it difficult to book!
But the big problem in a recession is that more people will default to the smaller private owners in S S!
This makes the vulnerable owners who need guaranteed cash-flow to survive, sitting ducks for Thompson's, and who can blame them for that!!
Overall - it will cost us all a bit more each year, especially as S S is now more popular, with return visitors -
Thompson's must love it!!

well you have played into their hands somewhat, they can easyily manipulate the situation because so many are returnees

[tonyco1]

Even so - everyone has their price - - -  so too expensive and a lot won't go back if they can't afford it!
Or they will cut back on a holiday - (Don excluded)!!
No one likes to be ripped off - but there is plenty of Private still about and Easyjet - so watch it Thompson's!!

[hendrix46]

IMO I think the T Os have less clout now than in earlier years throughout the travel industry. Probably even more so in San Stef due to the high numbers of returnees. With the coming of the internet and easyjet (other airlines also fly to Corfu...thought I'd better put that in haha) it is so much easier to go the independent way now. This is my preferred option, some may say my only option as I'm Billy No Mates! Haha!  The more people who go independent = more spaces for T Os to fill up = more bargains at a later date (Thompsons) or keener pricing from the start (Thomas Cook).

Now we just need the pound to rise "Pheonix like" from Gordon's ashes and we'll be well away next year! 

This must now stop...2 serious posts in 1 week. I promise to change. Bev where are you 'cos I need to chillax n have a laugh. 

[tonyco1]

Hendrix - we all love you - so no more of the Billy no mates - - even Don likes you!! (well maybe?).

[hendrix46]

You say the nicest things Tony! Alright, I shall stop referring to myself as "Billy no mates" and shall change to a "solo traveller" Haha! 

[tonyco1]

Wasn't Solo on the Starship Enterprise? LOL - see you in a zillion years then - on the next visit!

[hendrix46]

Hmmm....Solo.....Enterprise....near enough for me 
 What a great way to get to San Stef. Jump in the transporter and within seconds you're there!!
Knowing Don's luck this year he'd end up in Zimmer's back garden haha!! 

[swedebasher]

It was Sulu!! Hans Solo was in Star Wars.

[stressed0506]

We knew that !

[don]

Hendrix........... Is there anything you don't do solo??? LOL

[Jules]

Thats a bit personal Don !!!!!!!!!lol