Cosmos introduces Thailand for 2008

Thailand has been introduced while Cuba and Jamaica return to the Cosmos Distant Dreams long haul programme for 2008.

A low deposit of £75 per person is available for bookings made between December 27 and January 31 for departures in March and April.

The new Thailand programme, available from May, includes beach resort stays in Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui which can be combined with a three night break in Bangkok. 

Cuba is re-introduced after two years with seven and 14-night stays in Varadero, twin centre holidays combining Havana and Varadero as well as a week’s s tour of the island. Prices lead in at £819 per person on an all-inclusive basis at the four star Blau Varadero and a 14-night tour and resort stay starts at £1,345.

Also reintroduced after a break of several years is Jamaica with seven, 14 or 21 night beach holidays available in four resorts including Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay.

Other destinations covered include the Caribbean, Mexico, India and the Indian Ocean, Egypt, Africa and Dubai and China.

Cosmos head of specialist products Mike Tyerman said:  “After a break from Jamaica and Cuba we have re-introduced the destinations to re-enter the all-inclusive mainstream Caribbean market and offer great value holidays to suit all needs with good quality properties such as Riu and Iberostar combined with a choice of scheduled and charter flights from Gatwick and Manchester.

“We are rapidly expanding our long haul product range and Thailand is such a popular destination for UK travellers offering a variety of different holiday experiences within one destination.  We have put together a flexible programme using a range of scheduled airlines from a choice of UK departure airports so visitors can combine an exciting stay in Bangkok or a tour of Northern Thailand with a relaxing beach stay.”

The operator’s second edition Summer Holidays brochure includes a £50 deposit offer and more than 20 new flight options.

Head of mainstream product Ian Hailes said: “We have reviewed our flying programme for summer ‘08 to identify routes and destinations where we can offer even more choice and flexibility including convenient weekend flying and extra flights in peak season to meet the needs of the family market.  

“Feedback from agents and clients is that flexibility is the most important factor for the current market. Clients can choose their day of departure and duration of holiday from our newly expanded range of products.”

Long stay offers in Tenerife, Lanzarote, the Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Malta and the Algarve with prices starting at £479 per person for 84 nights, which equates to £5.70 a night in Albufeira, feature in the company’s Winter Holidays 2008-09 programme.

Product and commercial director Stuart Jackson said:  “Taking a winter break is no longer restricted to the over 55’s and by offering the whole range of special discounts we are keen to attract the early booking market. 

“That said, we are still targeting the over 55’s market as long stays are becoming increasingly popular as more and more people are taking early retirement.

“It’s a sector of the market which attracts huge repeat business as long stay veterans get to know the staff in the hotels and bars, etc. and feel very comfortable and confident to return year after year, generating still further growth through word of mouth to their circles of friends of a similar age back home.”

by Phil Davies