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Long-haul package sales soaring on web – 15 Feb 2007

Online sales of long-haul package holidays are increasing dramatically, according to Lastminute.com.

The demise of the package holiday has been overstated, said Lastminute.com travel director John Bevan. Although people are dynamically packaging destinations they are familiar with, they are buying packages for unfamiliar long-haul destinations, he said.

Egypt was the online agency’s top selling package holiday destination last month, with year-on-year growth of 72%. Tunisia was the fifth and India the 10th most booked destination last month.

Meanwhile, nine of the top 10 fastest-growing package holiday destinations were long haul. Thailand topped the list with year-on-year growth of 466% in January, the Maldives was second with growth of 318% and Morocco third with 211% growth.

“People often assume a trip to the Maldives is way beyond their budget, but the truth is an Indian Ocean holiday has become far more affordable in recent years,” Bevan added.

South Africa was fifth with 123%, growth, while the Seychelles and Gambia were eighth and ninth with 79% and 77% growth respectively.

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