Acorn Activities’ decision to offer packages to Jersey this year has paved the way for the island to enter the activity holiday market.
The Hereford-based activity specialist has put together a five-night package including abseiling, climbing, surfing, sea canoeing, windsurfing and coast-eering – where visitors walk along the coast, exploring caves and climbing over rocks.
The price starts from £350 per person for five nights’ bed and breakfast and packed lunch every day. Travel can be organised through Channel Islands Travel Service.
Acorn Activities is also offering murder mystery, bridge and wildlife weekends based on visits to Jersey Zoo as well as cycling and walking holidays.
Managing director Charles Cordle said: “We are trying to get Jersey recognised as a young person’s destination. The average age of visitors is 54 but it is a fun place for younger people too.”
Cordle admitted he is not aiming to attract large numbers in the first year – the target is ‘a few hundred’ – but he expects figures to grow as the island becomes better known as a short-break destination.
Thomas Cook Holidays has also added activity holidays this year. A small section at the front of its brochure promotes golf on Jersey, plus scuba diving and fishing on Guernsey.
Product manager Victoria Clarke said:”The Channel Islands are not a natural choice outside summer and school holidays; they need to be sold and we have added these so people can see what there is to do.
“We are trying to encourage the younger generation to think of the Channel Islands as a city-break alternative.”
Clarke said numbers to both islands increased last year and forward bookings are up year on year.
“Summer, Easter and school half-terms are very busy. We are using wining and dining and floral themes to promote the islands at other times.”
Premier Holidays said competition from other short-break destinations served by low-cost airlines had taken some of its Channel Island business but Airways said sales were strong. It has added two new summer charters to Jersey, from Blackpool and Humberside.
Islanders said bookings were up substantially, although managing director John Penson could not give figures.
“We have seen greater support from agents, particularly the independents, due to our flexibility,” he said.
The operator features 120 hotels across the islands, all priced room-only. Clients can book air or sea travel from the brochure – Islanders runs summer charters from Bournemouth Airport to both Jersey and Guernsey as well as offering scheduled flights from up to 16 mainland airports – or book independently.
The growth in short-break business to the islands has encouraged Travelscene to add both Jersey and Guernsey to its Cities 2000 brochure.
It has three hotels in Jersey and two in Guernsey. Travel is offered from 15 local airports and prices are from £168 for two nights at La Bonne Vie on Jersey including return flights.
Meanwhile, Jersey/Guernsey Travel Service has added cycling and walking holidays in Jersey for 2000. This is in addition to a full-board package at the Hotel de la Plage which also includes drinks with dinner. In Guernsey, camping and a Floral Tour have been added.