With the pound reaching an all-time low against the Euro and falling fuel supplements, savvy travellers are snapping up long-haul offers particularly to destinations where the local cost of living is still excellent value compared to the UK. Here are five holiday tips to help the pound go further in 2009.
Go all-inclusive
A clear trend for those with a budget in mind and don’t want to worry about how much extra they will have to pay for meals and drinks, is an all-inclusive holiday. Hotels in Kenya are seducing visitors back with loads of all-inclusive deals – Mombasa beach resorts seem to be top of the offers. Dream destinations such as the Maldives and Mauritius are also offering fantastic all-inclusive holiday savings:
- Kenya holidays from £669 (a saving of up to £180 per person) - Travellers Club 3*, Mombasa, Kenya, seven nights, all-inclusive.
- Maldives holidays from £999 (a saving of up to £200 per person) - Kuramathi Village 3.5*, seven nights, all-inclusive.
Tamara Diethelm, Head of Late Trading comments, ‘There is an increase in demand for all-inclusive holidays and with great offers being launched, they will be more popular than ever before, with customers wanting to be able to budget completely for their holiday particularly in the current economic climate.’
‘The new Europe’
As the pound is more or less equal to the Euro at the moment, clients are heading a little further afield to mid-haul destinations in north Africa and the Middle East. For a great price, clients can sail along Egypt’s Nile on the four star Presidential Nile Cruise, and enjoy talks with the Egyptologist onboard. For the same price as a European break, clients can be wandering around the colourful souks in Marrakech, or stay in the duty-free shopping paradise of Dubai:
- Nile cruise from £679 (a saving of up to £136 per person)- Presidential Nile Cruise 4*, seven nights, full board.
- Dubai holidays from £568 (a saving of up to £102 per person) - Towers Rotana 4*, Dubai, five nights, room and breakfast.
Low local prices
A good way to save money is to choose a destination that has low local prices. Thailand, South Africa and Malaysia are very affordable due to low-cost food and drink. To attract tourists, hotels and resorts have plenty of sale offers to choose from:
- Thailand holidays from £705 (a saving of up to £244 per person) - Evason Resort & Spa Hua Hin 4*, Hua Hin, seven nights, room only.
- South Africa holidays from £749 (a saving of up to £230 per person) - Lady Hamilton 3*, Cape Town, five nights, room and breakfast.
When to book?
The economic downturn has created a different trading environment and Kuoni is seeing a change in people’s booking habits. To capitalise on the fact that people are looking for good deals, Kuoni launched The Kuoni Sale with up to 30% discounts – its biggest sale in over 100 years, which runs until 20 February 2009. There is also an extra 5% discount when booking a beach holiday online. These offers are ideal for the opportunistic traveller, looking for a great value holiday to some of the most iconic destinations in the world. Alternatively, for clients who like to be prepared, booking early leaves time to save up and take advantage of Kuoni’s earlybird offers, which include free room upgrades.
Book carefully
Established in 1906, Kuoni offers over 100 years’ experience in tailor making holidays. Customers can create a personalised holiday online, on the phone with an expert travel consultant, in one of Kuoni’s flagship stores or with their local ABTA travel agent, safe in the knowledge that their holiday is fully ATOL protected. As a responsible, reputable tour operator, Kuoni is on hand if any crisis should occur, ensuring customers complete safety and enjoyment of their holiday.
(Prices quoted are per person based on two sharing and are correct as at 14 Jan)
For bookings and further information see our latest offers.