01 April 2009

Sales of fake holidays leap

Richard Branson’s Neckar Island is a favourite fake holiday brag

Sales of ‘Fake’ holidays have leapt in 2009.

Due to the financial situation and fears about climate change, more and more customers are buying the trappings of holidays rather than the holidays themselves.

More inventive schemes are being brought to the market to assist potential clients convince their friends and relatives that they’ve been on holiday, when, in fact, they haven’t.

Pilar Lofo, of the clandestine Grande Luxe Holiday Company, said: "It’s quite simple, we put together tailor made holiday packages of evidence that include everything you get from a holiday - postcards, sunburn, souvenirs, hotel brochures, pictures, luggage labels - we’ve even been asked for evidence of holiday romances and divorces!

"We help our clients lay a false holiday trail. The benefit to them is that, not only is it much cheaper than a real holiday, but there’s very little carbon footprint, and totally no holiday anxiety."
Ms Lofo continued: "The market is increasing dramatically, you simply wouldn’t believe the number of people who want to say that they’re on holiday in the Bahamas whereas, in fact, they’re sitting at home behind their curtains saving money."

The market for fake holidays is bound to increase. It’s only the beginning of April now and thousands of clients have yet to make their holiday plans. These may include a fake holiday but their friends and relatives will be the last to know.

Valere Tjolle

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Your Comments (5)

Cockney Geezer

I really like the historical angle and the concept of being shown around the city by a "real Londoner". This could really catch on! Katie. Tripbase.com

By Katie Sorene, Monday, April 6, 2009
Really that far-fetched??

Laugh as we might but is the current obsession with posting up carefully selected facebook holiday pics really that far off?? Katie. www.tripbase.com

By Katie Sorene, Monday, April 6, 2009
It's already been done!

Or written about anyway. Aopril Fool or no, this idea formed the basis of a science fiction story many years ago (and who better than science faction writers to foretell the future?). The premise was that you went to this specialist who, by means of careful brain manipulation, was able to implant a complete set of memories of the holiday you'd never taken. Of course, the memory of your visit to the memory manipulator was erased at the same time. I all went well until one customer came in and, when they came to implant the new memories, they found that a false set had already been installed - and the customer wasn't even who he thought he was. Mind you, I've had a few customers like that myself...

By Richard English, Monday, April 6, 2009
April Fool!

a very good April fools day to you. sounds like a really good idea though, already done in "total recall".

By john hobson, Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Nice one

And a happy April Fool's Day to you too!

By Lizann Peppard, Wednesday, April 1, 2009