03 December 2009

Major operators pick top ten choice for 2010

Turkey, Egypt and Mexico top the list of the top ten hottest holiday destinations in 2010 predicted by Thomson and First Choice.

The sister operators under the TUI Travel umbrella also tip Tunisia, Greece, Majorca, Cuba, Croatia & Montenegro, Morocco and Costa Rica.

The majority of the destinations fall outside of the eurozone, reflecting a shift towards better value for money due to the weakness of the pound against the euro.

Thomson and First Choice have "significantly" increased capacity to Turkey for next year as the country offers good value for money and has many hotels providing al-inclusive facilities.

First Choice has more ‘Splash’ hotels in Turkey than in any other destination. The five resorts have on-site water parks.

Thomson and First Choice will be introducing the new resort of Marsa Matruh in Egypt, acting as a location for visiting Alexandria.

Following last year’s swine flu outbreak, Mexico is poised to bounce back, helped by a $75 million investment into the beaches in Cancun. Thomson is offering more ten and 11-night durations from Gatwick and Manchester in 2010.

Thomson has increased regional flight options to Tunisia for 2010 to include Bournemouth, Cardiff, Glasgow, Doncaster and Stansted.

The operator is adding to the Greek islands on offer by launching its first weekly flights to Mykonos from Manchester and Gatwick.

First Choice is introducing the first Splash resort to Majorca, the Hotel Saturno in Alcudia. Free child places, flexible durations including 10 and 11-nights and unlimited use of the on-site water-park will be available. The operator also features one of its flagship family Holiday Villages in the resort of Ca’n Picafort, voted overall winner out of all Holiday Villages by customers this year.

Thomson and First Choice predict a mass flocking by Brits to Cuba before it changes altogether to cater for the mass American tourist market.

Next summer will see Thomson introduce the first direct flights with a UK carrier to Tivat in Montenegro.

Moroccan capital Marrakech has been introduced this winter for shopping and culture.

Thomson and First Choice will introduce Costa Rica to their long-haul programmes from November 2010 with the only UK charter flights to the Latin American country.

by Phil Davies