Aarhus makes impact on city-breaks market

Denmark by Jane Archer

Aarhus makes impact on city-breaks market

Ryanair flights boost interest

DENMARK’S second largest city, Aarhus, is making an impact on the UK city-break market following Ryanair’s launch of direct flights from Stansted at the end of last year.

Danish Tourist Board figures show that UK bednights in the city increased from 11,800 in January to June last year to 19,100 in the same period this year.

The tourist board’s UK-based marketing manager leisure Anne Nikolaides said: “Aarhus is ideal for autumn and Christmas breaks, so this trend is set to continue.”

None of the major operators offers packages to the city, although Cresta said it is a possibility for 2002, so all growth is coming from independent travellers.

Ryanair fares start at £19 return plus taxes. A double room at the Radisson SAS Hotel costs from around £80 per night.

Nikolaides said Copenhagen bednights from the UK have increased 14.2% to 180,400 in the same seven-month period, making the British market the third largest behind Sweden and Norway.

The tourist board has just mailed 40,000 copies of its Copenhagen Open Season brochure to agents detailing operators’ packages, including Cresta, Crystal Holidays, Thomson and Travelscene.

Cresta Cities brand manager Ian Ackland said: “We have seen a marked improvement in carryings this year and expect to see good numbers visiting Copenhagen at Christmas.”

Cresta offers five hotels in Copenhagen with prices starting at £286 per person bed and breakfast for a three-night break at the two-star Absolon Hotel. Prices are from November 2000 and include flights.

Travelscene commercial manager Paul Stanley said Copenhagen bookings are down this year, possibly because a lot of people have already visited and are now wanting to visit Stockholm.”

Copenhagen: UK bednights have shown a marked increase this year

sample

copenhagen

Travelscene: the lead-in price is £317 per person for travel up to December 31. Accommodation is in the three-star Excelsior Hotel, close to the central train station and the city’s nightlife, for two nights on a bed-and-breakfast basis. Return flights from Heathrow with British Airways or Maersk Air from Gatwick are also included although transfers from the airport to the hotel will cost from £1.60 for a rail link to £15 for a taxi.

Thomson Breakaway cities: two nights at the three-star City Hotel for £319 until December 27. The price includesbed-and-breakfastaccommodation, return flights from Heathrow, an arrival transfer from Copenhagen airport to Central Station and a guidebook. The hotel is centrally located in the old centre of Copenhagen.

cresta: three nights at the two-star Superior Absalon Hotel from £286 for travel until December 15.Breakfast during the stay and return flights from Gatwick are included in the price of the holiday which must be taken over a weekend.

Crystal cities: two nights bed and breakfast between November 1 and December 31 leads in at £299, with flights from either Heathrow or Gatwick. The stay at the four-star Copenhagen Admiral Hotel, a converted granary and listed building in the Nyhavn area. must include a Saturday night.

Reasons to visit Denmark

art: the National Gallery in Copenhagen holds regular new exhibitions with more than 8,000 works of art spanning 700 years. French, Egyptian, Greek and Roman collections can be seen at the Carlsberg Glyptotek gallery, with modern art at the Louisiana museum.

fashion and nightlife: discover the world of new Danish designers in the exclusive streets and alleyways behind the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe – Stroget. Most big cities have a vibrant café society. The more energetic can enjoy the club scene.

Good food: there is more to Denmark than bacon and pastries, with bars, street cafés and restaurants to suit every taste and pocket. Chefs offer an interesting mix of international cuisine with a French influence.

EASY to reach: Denmark is less than two hours flying time from London and is serviced daily by 60 flights from the UK and Ireland. Ryaniar flies to Aarhus, the second biggest town in Denmark and much of the country can be reached with Maersk Air, SAS, Go, British Airways and British Midland.

&#42 Call the Danish Tourist Board trade number on 020-7259 5958.

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