Travel: Departures: Ferry Boom

BRITTANY FERRIES is making surprise predictions of growth in its cross-Channel ferry traffic next year. David Longden, the marketing director, says that business is expected to increase by an enormous 17 per cent in 1993 compared with 2 per cent this year.

This extra growth may in part be due to the small fare increases being introduced next year. Launching its programmes for 1993, Brittany Ferries said its holiday prices were going up by an average of 3 per cent, while ferry fares were increasing by about 2 per cent. The company claims it has cut fares on its route to northern Spain - Plymouth to Santander - by up to 28 per cent.

As part of the company's attempts to improve services prior to the opening of the Channel tunnel next autumn, Brittany Ferries is introducing the 31,000- ton Val de Loire ferry, which from June will operate from Portsmouth to St Malo and Plymouth to Santander and Roscoff.

The company is also expanding its holiday operations to include pre-erected tent holidays in France and a property owners' club for home-owners in Spain and Portugal.

P&O European Ferries (0304 241100) has cut its winter prices to Euro Disney. The ferry company has introduced a new one- night fare of pounds 58.50. Two-night prices have been cut to pounds 82 per person (based on a family of four), including return ferry crossing, on-site accommodation and theme park passes.