Prices slashed as industry seeks early bookers
Next summer’s holidays in some of the most popular destinations are up to 30% cheaper than 2005 as agents and operators attempt to secure early bookings, research from the Co-op Travel Group has found.
In a study of all the major tour operators, the agency discovered that Tenerife is the best for bargain hunters with average selling prices falling from £746 this summer to £524 in 2006, a decrease of 29.7%.
Holidays to Malta are 17% cheaper, falling from £580 to £481, with Barbados almost 13% cheaper at £1,290.
Head of Co-op Travel Mike Greenacre said while prices overall have slightly increased, ten of the 50 most popular destinations are cheaper.
“A good travel agent will be able to find holidaymakers some genuine bargains. The best value destinations are using low prices and offers like free child places to encourage more early bookers,” he said. “Agents are also doing more to attract early bargain hunters, offering low deposits. These tactics appear to be working with bookings to the most popular destinations up on the same time last year.”
Other average reductions have been recorded in Menorca where customers are paying £25 less, Egypt where the average price has fallen 3.5% to £762, Cyprus with holidays £17 cheaper than 2005 and in Florida where customers are paying £810, £9 less than this year.
Greenacre added that holidaymakers are becoming more adventurous with the Dominican Republic, St Lucia and Mexico giving the shorter haul destinations a run for their money.
“Package holidays to Spain and Cyprus are still among our biggest sellers but they are coming under increased competition from these new favourites,” he said.
Report by Steve Jones
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