The city-break market has had an extremely tough time this year, even though the credit crunch has seen many clients take a European city break for their second holiday instead of a longer trip.
However, with the winter season approaching, many operators hope to see a boost in bookings, with people still looking for last-minute bargains, which are readily available – many include extras such as free room upgrades, as well as food and beverage.
International Travel Connections sales manager Jonathan Bellamy says: “Travel agents should always ask the tour operator if there are any offers – so many are sent in that sometimes they are not loaded on to the system.”
One of the main obstacles is the exchange rate between sterling and the euro. This is why agents are looking for city breaks outside the eurozone. There are many keenly priced breaks to cities in Eastern Europe, Russia, the Baltics and the Balkans.
Hoteliers in these countries have woken up to the fact that they can no longer be complacent and fill their hotels effortlessly, with many properties offering better value in order to compete with Western Europe. Even hotels in Moscow and St Petersburg, which formerly ranked as some of the most expensive in Europe, are now lowering their prices.
Within the eurozone, many customers are still flying on low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet to save money, and are using these savings to upgrade rooms or purchase spa treatments during their weekend breaks.
The market is still dominated by couples in their mid-30s and upwards who spend two to three nights on a break. A growing segment is the empty-nesters or retired clients, who usually spend up to five nights away at a time.
Some agents are continuing to sell festive breaks even though commissions are low and people book direct online.
Regent Holidays tours and marketing manager Alison White says: “Clients who have a good experience on a short break are more likely to go back to their agent to book a longer holiday in the future.”
Here, we look at some options for customers looking for a European city break this winter.
A classic romantic city break
Paris, Rome and Venice top the charts, with clients staying at the classic hotels and visiting the popular sites. Clients are still spending handsomely on these holidays, with breaks generally popular with clients aged 40 and over.
Sample product: City breakers can stay at the Four Seasons George V in Paris with ITC Classics from £1,723, based on two adults sharing a superior double, including breakfast and flights with British Airways, valid for travel up to December 15. itcclassics.co.uk, 01244 355505
A festive historical holiday in Berlin
This year is the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. If your clients don’t make it in time for the November 9 spectacular Festival of Freedom at the Brandenburg Gate, there are also open-air exhibitions, Christmas markets and historical carriage rides this season.
And in the evenings, they can warm up with glühwein (mulled wine) in one of Berlin’s 7,000 bars and restaurants – many of which are open around the clock.
Sample product:Hotels4u.com offers three nights at the Citadines Berlin Olivaer Platz Aparthotel, Berlin, on a room-only basis from £22.35 per night, based on two sharing. hotels4u.com,0844 875 4401
New Year’s Eve in Russia
Even with the uncertainty of climate change, you can be guaranteed a good helping of snow, and culture, in Moscow or St Petersburg.
Red Square comes alive in a scene akin to Trafalgar Square in London as party-goers see in the New Year, popping bottles of Russian bubbly that cost about £3 each. A troika ride in the snow is always a romantic pastime.
Sample product:Regent Holidays offers a three-night city break to Moscow from £499, including flights with BMI from Heathrow, while a three-night city break to St Petersburg costs from £495 per person. regent-holidays.co.uk, 0845 277 3317
Cultural winter break in Prague
It is widely considered that Prague is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. It is surprisingly compact and many of its attractions, including the Old Town, are easy to discover on foot.
A three- or four-night city break is proving a popular escape this winter, and Prague offers great value for money right now.
Sample product: Stay three nights for the price of two at the four-star Golden Wheel with Kirker Holidays starting from £508 per person including flights, transfers, and accommodation with breakfast. kirkerholidays.com, 020 7593 2283
Christmas Eve in Freiburg
German cities remain popular for weekend breaks during the winter because of their traditional Christmas markets. But Freiburg in the southwest is a good place to go for Christmas because of its vibrant culture and closeness to the Black Forest – a land of pine and birch-blanketed mountains, fairytale villages and crystal-clear lakes.
Dertour tours manager Lawrence Peachey says: “The perceived prices in the eurozone countries may still be a challenge. However, most people find that Germany is excellent value for money.”
Sample product:Dertour is offering a new four-night, half-board break in a four-star hotel, return flights, rail transfers, festive Christmas Eve dinner and guided city tour. Prices start from £629. dertour.co.uk/travel_agents.php, 020 7290 1111
