Winter Sun in... EUROPE
With the UK summer come and gone – surely you recall that warm day in June? – a break soaking up some winter sun could be in more demand than ever, says Jane Archer
holidaymakers, offering a chance to escape the leaden grey days so prevalent in the UK between November and March. For those looking for a revitalising dose of blue skies and warm weather, winter sun guarantees in far-fl ung destinations such as Florida, Cape Town and the Maldives have been fashionable for many years. However, destinations far closer to
W
home are expecting to take a larger share of the market this season as people look to cut costs during the on-going fi nancial pinch and give space to those hot spots in North Africa recovering from the political convulsions earlier in the year.
inter sun holidays have become something of a necessity for many
Feedback from operators suggests
ever-popular European winter sun destinations such as Tenerife, Gran Canaria and the Spainish Costas are attracting more attention this year, both for out-of-season week-long holidays and short breaks. For agents struggling to increase sales at a time when clients are concerned about fi nances, and often are thinking twice about a second holiday, these are all good options to consider, as are Cyprus, Madeira, Israel, the Algarve and even Turkey. Thomson’s Winter Collection runs from November 2011 to April 2012 and also includes Malta, Crete, the Red Sea Riviera, and Italy’s Neapolitan Riviera. All are within a fi ve-hour fl ight of
the UK and offer the sunshine that is such a vital ingredient of a successful
winter sun holiday. They also have nice beaches and a wide range of accommodation, from budget properties to top-end hotels, many with upmarket spas, which provide an additional attraction for couples wanting a break from the beach. Operators ranging from Cosmos to Thomas Cook to Classic Collection offer European winter sun programmes featuring everything from affordable holidays in tourist hotels that are targeted at families to more upmarket breaks in stylish hotels for those less concerned about the budget. With so much choice, there is a
package for everyone, but agents should also consider dynamically packaging a holiday to exactly suit their clients’ needs. With so many scheduled and low-cost
fl ights between the UK and Europe’s hotspots, plus many bed banks to tap into for accommodation, it is easy to tailor-make a holiday, and very likely will result in higher commission. For clients with that bit more time
on their hands, a rail-based holiday in Spain, using Eurostar from London and various European rail services, is another possibility.
Europe What’s New
• H10 Conquistador in Playa de las Americas in Tenerife has a new à la carte Italian restaurant called La Vita e Bella, a coffee and tea shop and a Teenclub aimed at young guests.
Above L-R: TUI has a range of winter sun holidays closer to home; Portugal's Algarve; Sensatori Resort Tenerife is a Thomson offering. Opposite: Abama Resort Tenerife.
08 September/October 2011 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
thedeal seal
eurozone: Winter sun holidays in Turkey are not only excellent value, clients can be sure of great weather as well
Look beyond the
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