First Choice launches new budget hotel brand
First Choice has launched a new all-inclusive budget hotel brand, SuneoClub, aimed at cash-strapped couples, families and groups.
The operator is also selling parent company TUI Travel’s six Club Magic Life beachfront all-inclusive properties to UK customers for the first time.
SuneoClub is TUI Travel’s first international group-wide concept, which has been designed and developed for all its mainstream source markets.
The three-star hotels, initially available in Cyprus, Menorca and Turkey, are modern but neutral, featuring splashes of bright colour, it said.
The Suneo concept will also be available in Costa Del Sol, Ibiza, Rhodes, Kos and Corfu from summer 2014.
Properties, some of which have been plucked from Thomson and First Choice’s existing offering while others are new to the group, will be exclusive to TUI Travel customers and sold exclusively in the UK through First Choice.
To give an example of prices, First Choice said seven nights at the SuneoClub 3Sun Hotel Cortijo Blanco on the Costa del Sol is selling at £385pp, £64 cheaper than the nearby 3Sun Riu Costa Lago.
Speaking at the launch of Thomson and First Choice summer 2014 programme, deputy chief executive John Lundgren said: ‘What’s great is that SuneoClub is the first of our international group-wide concepts.
"We have been working collaboratively across all our source markets and together we’ve created something truly innovative. SuneoClub has been designed for travellers looking for incredible value on a budget. This links directly into our Mainstream strategy of designing holidays for specific customer segments. This product will deliver great quality at a really affordable price for our customers."
Club Magic Life resorts combine a 24-hour all-inclusive offering with an extensive sports programme and entertainment schedule included in the price.
Available only through First Choice in the UK, the hotels are in Fuerteventura, Kos, Tunisia and Egypt’s Red Sea resorts.
Director of product Mark Hall said: "These are really fantastic hotels and are very popular with customers around Europe, therefore we are delighted to be able to offer them to UK customers exclusively through First Choice. But you don’t just have to take our word for it – Club Magic Life has 20 years of experience in offering guests the very best in all inclusive, with customers returning to the hotels year after year."
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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