brochure, while Superbreak is featuring more than 40 hotels in or near Edinburgh for 2000.
Sunvil is also featuring new hotels in its touring itineraries which include a seven-night Outer Isles tour, an eight-night Highlands and Island tour, and three to six nights in the Lochs and Highlands.
The country’s biggest market is, perhaps not surprisingly, Scotland, but operators say agents based south of the border will find it worthwhile to sell the destination.
Crystal product director Simon Box said: “People will stay longer if they are travelling all the way from the south, and they will fly or take the train.
“This means they will need to book a hire car in Scotland, so the actual cost of the package and the value to the agent is going to be higher than for a short-break to a country house hotel in the UK.”
The average length of stay in Scotland is four nights, but during the summer people typically stay for one or two weeks.
Box said the key to selling Scotland is knowing the locations of the main tourist areas and how to get there.
“Agents should also check out their local flights to Scotland because there are a lot of services to Edinburgh from regional airports like Bristol and Southampton,” he said.
Jetset said travel agents should also take advantage of the easy rail access to Scotland, which makes short breaks to the country a viable option for many.
The journey from London to Edinburgh takes just over 4hrs with services running half-hourly at certain times of the day.
A Jetset spokesman said: “The GNER service from Doncaster to Edinburgh only takes between 2hrs 30mins and 3hrs, which is short enough for people to travel for the weekend.”
He said the growing number of low-cost flights from the south to Scotland, such as Ryanair’s service from Stansted to Prestwick and EasyJet’s services from Luton to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness, are also creating business opportunities for agents.
“Although some airlines don’t pay commission, their passengers need somewhere to stay and agents can earn just as much booking a couple of nights in a hotel as they can from selling a package holiday because it is so quick,” he said.
“Clients taking a short break usually know where they want to stay, agents can book them the accommodation on viewdata in a couple of minutes, and because the clients usually book at short notice, they won’t cancel or make amendments.”
To encourage people to visit Scotland during the winter, operators have a range of special offers.
For example, Superbreak offers 50% cost reductions for 18 attractions and tours in Edinburgh and the Lothians plus discounts in restaurants and theatres up to March 31.
Goldenrail offers discounted first-class rail travel booked as part of a break taken up to the end of April, during which time a return journey from London to Edinbugh costs from £69.
OPERATORS have expanded their programmes to Scotland for next year to meet rising demand for short breaks.
Edinburgh remains the most popular destination and operators have added more properties in the city.
Sunvil UK has included a third city-centre property, The Bonham, in its Discovering Historical and Cultural Britain brochure, while Superbreak is featuring more than 40 hotels in or near Edinburgh for 2000.
Sunvil is also featuring new hotels in its touring itineraries which include a seven-night Outer Isles tour, an eight-night Highlands and Island tour, and three to six nights in the Lochs and Highlands.
The country’s biggest market is, perhaps not surprisingly, Scotland, but operators say agents based south of the border will find it worthwhile to sell the destination.
Crystal product director Simon Box said: “People will stay longer if they are travelling all the way from the south, and they will fly or take the train.
“This means they will need to book a hire car in Scotland, so the actual cost of the package and the value to the agent is going to be higher than for a short-break to a country house hotel in the UK.”
The average length of stay in Scotland is four nights, but during the summer people typically stay for one or two weeks.
Box said the key to selling Scotland is knowing the locations of the main tourist areas and how to get there.
“Agents should also check out their local flights to Scotland because there are a lot of services to Edinburgh from regional airports like Bristol and Southampton,” he said.
Jetset said travel agents should also take advantage of the easy rail access to Scotland, which makes short breaks to the country a viable option for many.
The journey from London to Edinburgh takes just over 4hrs with services running half-hourly at certain times of the day.
A Jetset spokesman said: “The GNER service from Doncaster to Edinburgh only takes between 2hrs 30mins and 3hrs, which is short enough for people to travel for the weekend.”
He said the growing number of low-cost flights from the south to Scotland, such as Ryanair’s service from Stansted to Prestwick and EasyJet’s services from Luton to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness, are also creating business opportunities for agents.
“Although some airlines don’t pay commission, their passengers need somewhere to stay and agents can earn just as much booking a couple of nights in a hotel as they can from selling a package holiday because it is so quick,” he said.
“Clients taking a short break usually know where they want to stay, agents can book them the accommodation on viewdata in a couple of minutes, and because the clients usually book at short notice, they won’t cancel or make amendments.”
To encourage people to visit Scotland during the winter, operators have a range of special offers.
For example, Superbreak offers 50% cost reductions for 18 attractions and tours in Edinburgh and the Lothians plus discounts in restaurants and theatres up to March 31.
Goldenrail offers discounted first-class rail travel booked as part of a break taken up to the end of April, during which time a return journey from London to Edinbugh costs from £69.
Add-on products
Three-day Historic Pass in Edinburgh: gives entry to several attractions including Edinburgh Castle, costs £7.50, and can be booked through Sunvil UK.
Murder mystery night: Costs £9 per person at Winnock Hotel, Loch Lomond, in addition to the £45 charge for one night’s dinner, bed and breakfast, and can be booked through Jetset Freedom Breaks.
Guided walk of Edinburgh: lasts about 2hrs 30mins, costs £9.50, and can be booked through Sunvil UK.
Clay pigeon shooting: Costs £78.50 at the Fenwick Hotel, Ayrshire for a day including transport, tuition, gun hire and refreshments, and can be booked through Jetset. Fly fishing is also available for £78.50, including transport, equipment, tuition and refreshments.