Winter sun exodus continues as gloom descends
Traditional destinations are still top choice for those wishing to beat the winter blues, but a few new exotic routes are being offered to fliers.
According to Budget Travel, winter sun holiday bookings are still high and consistent with recent years.
For the first time this year, the low-cost travel agent is offering deals to the Dominican Republic, giving Irish travellers the chance to dip their toes in the Caribbean.
For €699, holiday makers looking to cast off the economic blues overshadowing the country can fly to the tropical nation for a week and stay at a four star hotel. Budget Travel say its first two weeks in November to the island destination are booked out.
But it’s the more traditional choices that are still attracting customers.
Though retail spending has slowed across the country, the agency says bookings for Canary Island destinations, which saw 90,000 holiday makers fly away with it to the sun last year, are up to par.
“People still want to get on a short flight to get some sunshine. They go back year in, year out. Sales are similar to last year’s,” said the agency’s spokeswoman Niamh Hayes.
Elsewhere, customers are still turning their sights on more far-flung destinations, willing to shell out extra amounts for ever more exotic choices.
According to Up and Go Holidays, which have offices in Limerick, requests for winter sun alternatives are still high.
“The Canaries are very much in vogue but other places are still being booked. Flexibility can save a customer money when deciding where.”
Bookings are strong for both Dubai and Egypt, explained regional manager Hugh Lilburn. “A lot are starting to ask about Egypt, the cruises and its diving.”
Prices for Egypt are running at around €800.
Bookings are still strong for other popular European destinations like the south of Spain. Demand is also high for honeymooners, with the United States a top destination for newlyweds.
Cruise bookings are also still proving popular with both young and old, Mr Lilburn added.
Central Statistics Office (CSO) statistics earlier this summer showed that Irish people took 1,218,000 holidays in the first quarter of 2008 — an 18.7% increase on the corresponding period last year. They also increased the length of their stays.
The CSO figures showed the public spent 8,821,000 nights holidaying abroad in the first three months of 2008, a 25% increase on the same period last year.
Asia and the Middle East, in particular, saw a surge in popularity with a 71% increase in visitor numbers.
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