Argo Holidays is launching its Summer Collection 2007 brochure with the reintroduction of Mykonos.
Marketing and sales director Kathryn Beadle said the Greek island was dropped from the main programme and featured only in the Islands of the Aegean programme two years ago as it was thought to be a niche destination.
However, following increased demand and additional charter and schedule flights to the island, it is now being returned to the main programme with eight hotels – three more than were available for 2006 and including some larger hotels as opposed to purely boutique properties.
Direct flights are being reintroduced to replace this summer’s service which saw customers fly to Santorini before taking a ferry to Mykonos.
Beadle said the number of hotels had been increased because Argo expected the numbers taking the programme to grow. The programme was also being grown in Halkidiki where 12 hotels would be featured, up four on last year, as more customers discover the mainland, she said. “It’s not a market they’ve traditionally been attracted to in the past.”
Cruise is also being introduced to the programme with three-night and four-night durations being included which can be sold as add-ons to conventional beach breaks.
Beadle said: “Cruise is a market that’s growing and given our knowledge of the area we felt we should do it.”
She added while the programme’s growth would be mostly driven by the new destinations, a number of savings should also help.
She said the operator has secured savings on 2006 prices with couples taking a 14 night break at the Sani Beach Hotel and Spa in Halkidiki will pay £528 less while a £420 saving per couple is available for two week stays at Cyprus’ Golden Coast Hotel in Protaras.