Cumbria Tourism teams up with UK’s leading outdoor retailer

BLACKS the leading outdoor retailer in the UK has thrown its weight behind #Cumbria Tourism’s winter marketing campaign to promote the county as an all-year-round destination.

Other key names to back Cumbria Tourism’s winter marketing campaign include HF Holidays, Stagecoach, Lakelovers and the Lakes Culture project.

The businesses will be involved in a range of promotional activities nationally, including a wide range of digital marketing, competitions and feature ads in glossy magazines to show that the Lake District, Cumbria is #theplacetobe this winter.

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Brits party on the piste

WINTER ‘gappies’ are overtaking the clubland sun-seekers in the British holiday market, with 44 percent of UK holidaymakers saying they prefer #skiresorts to beach ones. The phenomenon of the ski season gap year is growing rapidly in popularity, a study by my Travel Cash found.

Young people are favouring luxury ski resorts thanks to the increase in party destinations and budget ski deals on offer. The study found that one in five British holidaymakers are abandoning the booze cruise and shunning sunny shores in favour of luxury ski resorts to holiday with friends.

The survey revealed that off-piste activity is the top trend for ski resort tourists. Winter holiday hotspots such as #Vald'Isere and Tignes have shot up in popularity, where the action can be less exciting as what happens back at the lodges. Even for those who like to take to the slopes, 68 percent spend at least a day and a half of their holiday enjoying food and drink in their cabins, as well as shopping and sight-seeing, rather than hitting the slopes. Thirteen percent do not take part in any snow sports.  

A ski instructor at the French ski resort of Morzine confirms that it’s not the landscapes and sporting opportunities that offer the biggest pull to young Brits: ‘Ski season means party season, and the nightlife is as important as the daytime activities in Morzine. #Apre-ski starts at around 4pm and continues in to the early hours, then those who do ski or board will get up to clear the hangover with fresh air back on the pistes.’

For those who take part in sports activities, a ski season offers the chance for tourists to pad out their CVs while simultaneously enjoying the party lifestyle. Morzine’s ski instructor continues: ‘It’s common for Brits to become qualified ski instructors while they do a season. This looks good to employers and is an alternative to doing promo or holiday repping in Ibiza.”

Ian Johnson, Sales Director at my Travel Cash, said: ‘Overall, snow holidays are currently more achievable than previously thought. Sterling has recently experienced its biggest high since 2007 against currencies including the euro, meaning holiday money can stretch a lot further than people might think, especially in European destinations.

Top 10 snow destinations highlighted by the My Travel Cash research:

 1.     France (35%)
2.     Austria (31%)
3.     Italy (9%)
4.     Switzerland (9%)
5.     Bulgaria (5%)
6.     USA (4%)
7.     Canada (3.5%)
8.     Spain (2%)
9.     Norway (2%)
10.  Germany (2%)

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Northerners target the Canary Isles

DECEMBER holiday bookings to the #CanaryIslands have risen sharply, with the biggest volume of travellers by far coming from the north of England, UK travel retailer Holiday Hypermarket reports. 

In an analysis of booking data, the company discovered that 73% of travellers to the winter sun destination were from England’s northern counties. For the Midlands it held a little less appeal, with only 21% deciding to go on holiday to the region before the New Year. This is still more than the south, though, with just 17% choosing to travel during the month. Overall, bookings were up 72% year-on-year.

Commenting on the findings Holiday Hypermarket representative Ian Crawford said: ‘We expected a lot of activity around Spain this year as many people are choosing to stay closer to home for their holidays. The Canaries has always been one of our most popular destinations, but it’s quite surprising how many bookings there have been already this year for the winter, especially from the north.

‘Aside from London, which accounts for about 20%, our customers are usually spread pretty evenly over England. It’s definitely unusual to see such a big regional difference.’

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/14450371@N03/15712562039">Gran Canaria, Puerto Rico, beach, Playa, Strand</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license)

Safety first for Brits choosing winter sun destinations

HALF of Brits are avoiding traditionally popular winter sun hotspots in favour of ‘safer’ destinations as a result of terror attacks and the migrant crisis, according to a Travelzoo survey.

More than half of 2,000 adults surveyed blamed recent terrorist attacks and the migrant crisis for reducing their willingness to travel abroad. 

The poll suggested that Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Greece, and Thailand – all traditionally popular winter sun destinations – are now the places that UK consumers are most worried about visiting.

It found Britons felt most secure travelling to the Canary Islands, the Caribbean, and Australia for a winter sun holiday. Over the next 12 months they felt most confident about vacations in Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, and the US.

Travelzoo managing director, Richard Singer, said the survey showed that personal safety was now a key factor in holiday choice. “It was all about price; now safety is right up there.”

More than half of those surveyed said the Tunisia terrorist attacks alone had put them off booking a holiday anywhere abroad, while only 1% said they would consider visiting Tunisia.

The research also showed 75% of respondents were now actively avoiding Islamic countries as holiday destinations, while 73% said the migrant crisis had put them off travelling through the Channel Tunnel.

Yeganeh Morakabati, an academic in risk and tourism at Bournemouth University, said: ‘What is clear from the research is that risk perception has increased uncertainty, and this has left the door open to fear. As a result, Britons are finding it increasingly difficult to decide on the safest destination for a holiday abroad.’

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Australia looms as top winter destination for Brits; sales boom for Aussie $

#AUSTRALIA is looming as the most popular long-haul winter destination for Brits this year. According to new data released by Asda Money, August saw a 102% increase in the purchase of Australian dollars in the UK.

Commenting on the findings, Karen Harkin, Asda Money said: ‘ With summer looking like it’s already over, it’s unsurprising people are planning some winter sun, with our analysis revealing Australia to be the most popular destination this month.

Our figures show that other popular destinations for the coming months include Canada and the US, with an increase in currency sales of 44% and 42% respectively in August.’

Ms Harking said that as the value of the pound continues to strengthen, online sales of the euro have also risen compared to last year.

‘Last year, the Norwegian Krone, the Czech Republic koruna, and the Bulgarian lev all featured in our top ten currency list. This year, however, they have been replaced by the Indonesian rupiah, the Turkish lira, and the UAE dirham. Overall, our online currency sales have increased by 72% compared to last year with more exotic locations becoming more common.’

She said that as the value of the pound continued to strengthen, online sales of the euro had risen, and that the average amounts customers are purchasing for holidays are £564 for euros and £688 for US dollars.

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Monarch Airlines launches two routes to Israel

MONARCH AIRLINES has announced two new scheduled routes to #Israel from Luton Airport. The airline will start flying to Tel Aviv and Ovda (the gateway to Eilat) in December. 

The #directflights will operate three times a week to Tel Aviv (Monday, Thursday and Sunday) and once a week, on a Thursday, to Ovda. The flight time is five hours.

The airline previously operated flights to Israel as part of its charter service.

Andrew Swaffield, chief executive, Monarch Group, says: ‘These two new scheduled routes are the result of the ongoing work we are doing to develop our winter programme which showcases a number of winter sun and ski destinations.

‘Tel Aviv and Ovda are growing in popularity once more with tourists, and with the diverse offerings of both these destinations we are sure they will be a very popular choice for winter short breaks and holidays. We are also looking forward to welcoming visitors from Israel to the UK.’

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/20849923@N00/3396071661">Airbus A321-231, Monarch Airlines, Manchester - Int. (Ringway) (MAN / EGCC) 29.03.09</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Flybe announces winter schedule from Exeter; expands services from Newquay

#FLYBE has announced its 2015-16 winter schedule to and from Exeter. The airline also announced an agreement with Emirates enabling expanded services from Newquay Airport.

The winter schedule for Exeter includes 12 routes with a choice of up to 158 flights a week available for travel between October 25, 2015 and March 26, 2016. The airline has also confirmed the extension of its summer sun routes to Alicante, Faro, and Malaga until November 1, 2015, and the return of popular Saturday ski routes to Chambery and Geneva.

Following a codeshare agreement between Flybe and Emirates, passengers at Newquay Airport will now be able to travel to 145 destinations across six continents in 84 countries on a single ticket.

Al Titterington, managing director, Newquay Cornwall Airport, said: ‘This codeshare agreement between Flybe and Emirates will provide passengers in Cornwall with the freedom to travel anywhere on the Emirates global network at the click of a button, and is another exciting development in the continued growth of Newquay Cornwall Airport.’

Passengers will be able to check their bags at Newquay and not have to collect them until their final destination. Flybe’s current schedule from Newquay will allow passengers to connect to five Emirates services departing daily from airports across the UK including Birmingham, Manchester, and London Gatwick.

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Up in the air …

Monarch Airlines has expanded its schedule for summer 2016. New routes from Leeds Bradford to Malaga and Manchester to Gran Canaria are part of Monarch Airlines’ expanded schedule for summer 2016. Extra frequencies have been added from Birmingham to Gibraltar and Ibiza; Gatwick to Ibiza, Rhodes, Paphos, and Verona; Leeds Bradford to Naples; and Manchester to Ibiza.

Flybe has released its 2015-16 winter schedules to and from Stansted and Bournemouth Airport. Its thrice daily service to the Isle of Man from Stansted, which was launched in March, will continue to operate between October 25, 2015 and March 26, 2016, making it a year-round route. Flybe’s winter schedule from Bournemouth will include six routes to Amsterdam, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Dublin, Glasgow, Jersey, and Manchester.

United Airlines will be offering its customers from Northern Ireland a year-round non-stop service from Belfast to Newark, New York.


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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8269539@N04/9648446330">Monarch Airlines</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license),http://www.flickr.com/photos/27828336@N00/3519634225">Flybe</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license) 

Book ahead for the slopes

IF it’s summertime, it’s time – for some folks – to think about a #skiing holiday, so Inghams has launched its 2015/6 ski brochure, with a programme that has been expanded with new resorts in Austria and Italy.

Says Hugh Walton at Inghams: ‘We've a lot to shout about with the launch of our 15/16 ski brochure. No less than six new resorts, a new ski-in/ski-out Chalet Hotel in Champoluc, and new chalets in Mayrhofen and Avoriaz. We've more UK departure airports than ever before and a huge range of ski pack and lifts pass offers to tempt early bookers.’

Inghams also has holidays – in northern Norway – for non-skiers.

www.inghams.co.uk

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UK tops holiday choices chart

LUXURY travel network Virtuoso has tapped into its data warehouse of more than $35 billion in transactions to determine the top #summer destinations for 2015. It turns out the well-heeled – those who use ‘summer’ as a verb, rather than a noun – are still vacationing in Europe; however, not in droves as anticipated.

The most popular destinations for summer vacations based on future bookings are:

#UnitedKingdom, Italy, France. Canada, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, 
#South Africa, Ireland and Greece.

The #UK maintains its position as the number one spot for travellers. Bookings for Spain are up four percent and Germany is seeing a seven percent increase. 

The countries that have seen the largest percentage of growth in year-over-year bookings are Australia, China, Eucador, Iceland, Greece, Japan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Canada and Croatia.

Australia leads the chart with triple-digit growth, indicating that winter travel to Down Under is gaining in popularity. China followed closely behind, largely thanks to Hong Kong, which accounts for almost half of its air traffic.


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Picture Credit: Flag of the United Kingdom as Paths by Raymond1922A - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons