The return of the package holiday
Well, we all had a great time didn't we, hunting down the cheapest flights, hotels, car hire and stuff on the internet and saving a fortune in the process? But now it seems the traditional package holiday is back in fashion, and for good reason.
This year, more than ever, package holidays represent great value for money, especially for those planning to travel to countries within the Eurozone. As tour operators fixed their package prices before the pound nosedived, prices in brochures are less than you'd pay if you booked a hotel and flight separately.
The comparison websites Cheapflights and Travelsupermarket say they have seen a 54% and 26% rise respectively in searches for package holidays this year.
Tim Williamson, customer director at Tui, owner of Thomson and First Choice, said: “People realise that if they are on a tight budget, package holidays can offer great value. The days of do-it-your-own bookings have gone the way of do-it-yourself home decoration.”
All-inclusive packages, with flights, accommodation, as much as you can eat and drink, round-the-clock entertainment and airport transfers thrown in, give the best value of all this year.
If your memories of all-inclusive holiday packages are of horrid hotels, botulism buffets and knobbly-knee contests, then never fear. The all-inclusive offering has improved a lot in recent years.
Manny Fontenla-Novoa, chief executive of high street travel giant Thomas Cook, said: “The all-inclusive has improved hugely since the 1980s. The good ones include free ice cream, free cappuccinos at the poolside bars, and gourmet meals.”
Booking an all-inclusive package holiday is a lot less hassle too. No need to spend hours on the Internet searching for the cheapest flights, best hotel rooms and most affordable car hire.
As almost everything is paid for in advance, in sterling, it's easier to budget and there's no need to worry about the rubbish exchange rate every time you go for a meal or order a drink.
Thomas Cook says its all-inclusive summer bookings are up nearly 50% this year. Tui says bookings of its all-inclusive summer sun packages have increased by 10% over the past few weeks.
Not only do package holidays give good VFM, but they also financially secure – something which is especially important now when so many businesses seem so fragile.
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