New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Sunsail without the Sail !
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Sunsail without the Sail !
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
rising mojo View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 11 Jan 07
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11 		Post Options Post Options   Quote rising mojo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post 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
Back to Top
Quagers View Drop Down
Far too distracted from work
Far too distracted from work
Avatar

Joined: 24 Oct 06
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 279 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Quagers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post 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.
Back to Top
rising mojo View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 11 Jan 07
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11 		Post Options Post Options   Quote rising mojo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 09 at 5:37pm
Although Neilson seem to be still going strong 
Back to Top
Quagers View Drop Down
Far too distracted from work
Far too distracted from work
Avatar

Joined: 24 Oct 06
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 279 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Quagers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post 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. 
Back to Top
A Seabadger View Drop Down
Far too distracted from work
Far too distracted from work
Avatar

Joined: 11 Oct 05
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 222 		Post Options Post Options   Quote A Seabadger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 09 at 9:43pm
And of course Neilson is getting all the Sunsail customers who can't go sunsailing!   
I don't suffer from insanity...I enjoy every moment of it.
Back to Top
mikeward View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 15 May 06
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 25 		Post Options Post Options   Quote mikeward Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post 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
Cornwall - 2 coasts and one big ocean
Back to Top
rising mojo View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 11 Jan 07
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11 		Post Options Post Options   Quote rising mojo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post 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 !!!!!!
Back to Top
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post 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!
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.665y
Copyright ©2001-2010 Web Wiz
Change your personal settings, or read our privacy policy