Thomson & First Choice add to their long haul portfolio for 2017

THE UK’s leading #holiday brands, Thomson and First Choice, are announcing the introduction of #Vietnam to its winter 2017 programme. 

The Caribbean islands of St Lucia and Cayo Santa Maria in Cuba, which were new additions to its summer 2017 programme, will also be extended into the winter season. 

The move is part of continued interest in long haul destinations and builds on the 350% increase in long haul holidays over a 10 year period that the brands revealed last year.

The island of Phu Quoc off Vietnam has been added to the long haul portfolio, the island off the coast of Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand is well known for white-sand beaches and resorts. The majority of the island is part of Phú Quốc National Park, which features mountains, dense tropical jungle, hiking trails and wildlife.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: V.y.V.u flickr.com/photos/30385066@N02/16737314756 MKT_8734 via photopin

Most of those murdered in Tunisia beach attack believed to be British; tour companies cancel upcoming departures

THE British death toll in last week’s Islamic terrorist attack in Tunisia is likely to exceed 30, according to the UK and Tunisian governments.

The number of confirmed British deaths stands at 18. At least 12 Britons are still listed as missing. The UK’s Foreign Office says delays in identifying victims were in part because they were ‘dressed for the beach’ and, therefore, did not have identifying documents such as passports with them.

Thirty-eight sunbathing holidaymakers on a hotel beach in Sousse were murdered by a gunman, a Tunisian student who killed by police shortly after the attack.

Thomson and First Choice said their customers were among ‘a number of fatalities’, and they had sent 10 aircraft to bring home 2,500 UK holidaymakers.

The TUI Group operators said the two hotels at the centre of the attacks – the Hotel Riu Imperial Marhaba and the Bellevue – were part of their package programmes.

The companies have cancelled all Thomson and First Choice holidays to Tunisia for this week.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/80497449@N04/7383352148">Tunisia Grunge Flag</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Up in the air …

LinksAir has started Cardiff-Norwich flights. www.linksair.co.uk

Thomson Airways passengers flying long-haul Premium Club on the Thomson Dreamliner from Stansted in summer 2016 will have access to a lounge at the airport, fast track security, and priority boarding. Flights will run to Cancun in Mexico and Orlando. www,flights.thomson.co.uk

Flybe has launched its summer 2015 schedule with almost 300 flights a week from Southampton. www.flybe.com

Canadian carrier WestJet is to start – from May 30 – a non-stop daily summer transatlantic service from Glasgow to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The aircraft continues onto Toronto following a brief stopover to clear customs. The flight time between Glasgow and Halifax is 6 hours, 15 minutes and fares start at £198. The route is the airline’s second transatlantic service following the introduction of flights from Dublin to St John’s, Newfoundland, last year. www.westjet.com

Thomson and First Choice are to increase capacity at Leeds Bradford Airport through the introduction of additional seats and new routes to Paphos, Cyprus and Menorca. www.Thomson.co.uk

Qatar Airways has been named the World’s Most Dependable Airline in a study of all major carriers published by CBS MoneyWatch and conducted by travel site, WanderBat. The airline topped the list of 22 international airlines based on on-time percentages, baggage costs, and average age of airline fleet. The study also highlighted the airline’s five-star service and amenities, including Giorgio Armani kits with fragrances, earplugs, eye masks, socks, and lotions for business and first class passengers. www.QatarAirways.com

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Thomson, First Choice increase regional options

MORE regional flying in 2016 is to be introduced by Thomson and First Choice, including a new route to Aruba from Manchester. Additional 10- and 11-night durations to Chania, Crete, are also being made available from Manchester.

Catania in Italy, Hurghada in Egypt, and Sal in Cape Verde are being introduced as new routes from Bristol Airport, together with 10- and 11-night durations to Rhodes.

The move is part of a strategy to ensure customers across the UK can fly from their local airport.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: Firstchoice b757-200 g-cpep arp by Adrian Pingstone Own work. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons