We are now the "Mexico" to English shoppers. At least we still have some stuff to sell. Looks like a wonderful deal for them.
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080701/FREE/69838581/1052/toc
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080701/FREE/69838581/1052/toc
British airline to launch shopping flights to NYC
A weak U.S. dollar spurred British company Jet2.com to market "Christmas shopping breaks," discounted flights between New York and England in November and December.
July 01. 2008 2:59PM Hilary Potkewitz
The weak dollar is spurring another British invasion, but the only music involved this time will be the holiday jingling of cash registers.
Leeds, England-based airline Jet2.com, a five-year-old discount carrier that serves about 45 destinations in Europe, is taking advantage of the British pound's strength by launching chartered shopping flights to New York from Northern England in November and December. The airline began advertising the four day, three-night airfare/hotel packages in May, calling them "Christmas shopping breaks," priced at around $1,400 to $1,700 per person.
So far, the response to those ads has been "brilliant," said Ian Doubtfire, managing director of Jet2.com.
With the British pound worth about $2, shopping trips to the U.S. represent deep discounts to shopping excursions to London or other European capitals that use Euros.
"We've been eyeing New York service for quite a while," said Mr. Doubtfire. "These trips are definitely predicated upon the weak dollar."
Britain sends more visitors to New York than any other country, according to NYC & Co., the city's tourism and convention bureau. About 1.2 million British visitors descended upon the city in 2007, a 6% increase from the prior year. They spent $2 billion - or roughly $1,400 per five-day visit - and that was on trips where other city activities were involved.
"This is a very smart marketing tactic on the part of that airline," says Christopher Heywood, vice president of travel and tourism public relations at NYC & Co. "They are capitalizing on one of the most popular tourist activities when there's a weak dollar."
The airline has worked out weekend packages with the Park Central hotel near Central Park, The Paramount Hotel near Times Square, and Hotel Thirty Thirty near the Empire State Building. Retailers such as Macy's offer an 11% discount to international visitors.
Leeds, England-based airline Jet2.com, a five-year-old discount carrier that serves about 45 destinations in Europe, is taking advantage of the British pound's strength by launching chartered shopping flights to New York from Northern England in November and December. The airline began advertising the four day, three-night airfare/hotel packages in May, calling them "Christmas shopping breaks," priced at around $1,400 to $1,700 per person.
So far, the response to those ads has been "brilliant," said Ian Doubtfire, managing director of Jet2.com.
With the British pound worth about $2, shopping trips to the U.S. represent deep discounts to shopping excursions to London or other European capitals that use Euros.
"We've been eyeing New York service for quite a while," said Mr. Doubtfire. "These trips are definitely predicated upon the weak dollar."
Britain sends more visitors to New York than any other country, according to NYC & Co., the city's tourism and convention bureau. About 1.2 million British visitors descended upon the city in 2007, a 6% increase from the prior year. They spent $2 billion - or roughly $1,400 per five-day visit - and that was on trips where other city activities were involved.
"This is a very smart marketing tactic on the part of that airline," says Christopher Heywood, vice president of travel and tourism public relations at NYC & Co. "They are capitalizing on one of the most popular tourist activities when there's a weak dollar."
The airline has worked out weekend packages with the Park Central hotel near Central Park, The Paramount Hotel near Times Square, and Hotel Thirty Thirty near the Empire State Building. Retailers such as Macy's offer an 11% discount to international visitors.
