UK SUMMER HOLIDAYS


Spring has sprung and there are more GREAT reasons than ever to take a holiday at home this year, says Dave Richardson


T


here’s never been a year like this year for the UK to profi le its tourism products. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee


celebrations and the Olympic Games will, of course, attract many, but other factors at play include the dire state of the economy and further increases in Air Passenger Duty, which could well put many people off travelling abroad. The question for many agents is whether they will get their share of increased interest in ‘staycations’. There are plenty of commissionable breaks to recommend, and some operators are backing the largest-ever domestic tourism marketing campaign, Holidays at Home are GREAT, led by VisitEngland and supported by the tourist boards of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.


But not everyone is happy, with ABTA


commissioning a poll fi nding that most people don’t feel the Government – which provides most of the funding – should be trying to infl uence where people take their holidays. ABTA’S Chief Executive Mark Tanzer


says: “2012 is a year for Britain to


shine and there are


some fantastic events and places to visit for people choosing to holiday. However, I don’t think the Government needs to spend £4 million of taxpayers' money telling us that we’re having the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics.” Shearings is participating in the


GREAT campaign by offering hundreds of holidays with savings of 20% or more. Its latest promotional campaign gives reasons to choose the UK this year, and a Discover Your Great Britain brochure includes an events guide. Operators are predicting a trend


towards ever later booking for domestic breaks generally, with Hoseasons seeing more interest in popular resorts such as Newquay and Bournemouth. “We’ve seen a surge, but have been


surprised by the late demand for Easter,” says Pali Badwal, Vice-President of lodges and parks. “Economic factors have an impact on holiday choices, but it’s the timing of


the decision-making that’s changing. There are also some great offers for the last-minute bargain-hunters who are prepared to be fl exible.” Graham Balmforth, National Sales Manager for Superbreak, adds: “UK provincial areas are doing reasonably well. Good performers include Edinburgh, Scarborough, York, Oxford, Blackpool, Bournemouth and the Watford area, which is linked to the new Harry Potter studio tour.”


UK Holidays What’s New


Butlins has introduced three new dining options: The Deck and Beachcombers Inn at Bognor Regis, and the Firehouse Grill at Minehead. Dining plans for pre- booking cost £13.50 per adult per day (£6.75 per child) for food courts and £21 (£10.50 children) for Premium dining. Butlins’ new £25-million Wave Hotel and Apartments in Bognor has attracted advance sales of over £1.4 million. Sister Bourne Leisure brand Haven’s Craig Tara Holiday Park in Ayrshire, Scotland, has opened Airspace, a multi-purpose sports arena with three


climbing walls, golf simulator and gigantic themed soft play area. Another Bourne Leisure brand, Warner Leisure Hotels, has introduced Star Dance Spectacular Breaks (see picture below right) and Star Concerts with names including Billie Ocean and Ken Dodd. Attraction World has introduced


Family Watersports Experience packages costing from £64, and Double Watersports Experience packages from £99 for driving a jet ski. Great Rail Journeys is celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee with The Spirit of Chartwell Cruise, a ship that will convey the Queen up the Thames in June. The luxurious boutique cruise, which will carry up to 40 passengers, costs from £798 for four nights. Agents with a large number of retired


people on their customer base are being urged to arrange special coach departures by Grand UK Holidays from their local town.


This page: Sunny days in Bournemouth; Strawberries are an iconic UK summer image; Ready for exploring in Kingston-Upon-Hull; Next page: On the look out in Blackpool


30 May/June 2012 • www.sellinglonghaul.com


thedeal seal


Good food at lower prices: “Outside the Eurozone, the


Channel Islands are excellent value for money which means eating out is much cheaper than in Europe”


©VISITBRITAIN BRITAIN ON VIEW


©VISITBRITAIN/INGRID RASMUSSEN


©VISITBRITAIN/I&PAWEL LIBERA


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