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Sunsail without the Sail ! |
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rising mojo
Newbie Joined: 11 Jan 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 11 |
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Topic: Sunsail without the Sail ! Posted: 06 Jun 09 at 11:53am |
Sunsail have now dropped their Antigua resort, Club Colonna in addition to
the Turkish resorts. Admittedly they have added two new resorts but neither offers much in the of sailing (a small number of cats in each) and both sound more akin to Mark Warner than Sunsail. Is it just me that cannot see the point of Sunsail if there is no sailing ?!. For those of us who have enjoyed SS holidays over the past years I guess this is the final nail in the coffin. Such a shame |
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Quagers
Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Oct 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 279 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 06 Jun 09 at 12:16pm |
I think there were visa problems with the turkish local govt (something about all the staff having tourist visas) which couldnt be sorted in time for this season, hence all the turkish clubs going, given the amount they have invested (Phokia) I would imagine if they can resolve that they will be back. Also I would imagine their has been a massive drop in demand so there is no point keeping some of these clubs open running at a loss.
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rising mojo
Newbie Joined: 11 Jan 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 11 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 08 Jun 09 at 5:37pm |
Although Neilson seem to be still going strong
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Quagers
Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Oct 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 279 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 08 Jun 09 at 6:12pm |
Indeed, although im sure they have suffered as well, but then neilson appeals more to sailors wheras Sunsail was always aimed more at the luxuary end of the market, which i feel has been hit harder.
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A Seabadger
Far too distracted from work Joined: 11 Oct 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 08 Jun 09 at 9:43pm |
And of course Neilson is getting all the Sunsail customers who can't go sunsailing!
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I don't suffer from insanity...I enjoy every moment of it.
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mikeward
Newbie Joined: 15 May 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 25 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jun 09 at 1:20pm |
I spoke to Sunsail this week and they confirm that they have not renewed the lease on the Colonna site. The reason given was that they wanted the owners to invest in upgrading the site but the owners declined to do so in the current economic climate. In my opinion the real reason for this is linked to the purchase of the First Choice group by TUI and the focus on the bottom line. The only profitable Sunsail club was Vounaki so that survives for the moment. I don't like the idea of the Robinson Clubs being offered as alternatives, has anyone been to one, what are they like? The loss of Colonna is a real shame as it was a great site for winter sailing at an affordable price. I wish the Antiguan staff well and hope they can find new jobs. There is a real market for a new club in the Caribbean lets hope a decent company recognises this and fills the void |
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Cornwall - 2 coasts and one big ocean
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rising mojo
Newbie Joined: 11 Jan 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 11 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 11 Jun 09 at 12:46pm |
Robinson clubs are new to me but appear to be German.
I think the Sunsail experience is an object lesson in what happens when a small specialist firm gets swallowed up by a corporation. To be honest, Sunsail probably lost it's way a couple of years ago when it tried to go "up market" (no doubt driven on by the accountants at First Coice / Tui). Antigua may just be too expensive to allow a Sunsail type operation work - but Cuba would be good !!!!!! |
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Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jun 09 at 2:22pm |
Well, it's a pity - all this stuff with the resort from one part but the place still remains one of my favorites!
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