Families need holidays. A recent study by a psychotherapist for Kuoni confirmed as much. And in the current economic downturn, providing your clients with a value-for-money holiday is more important than ever.
The good news is that this year operators are focusing on value for the family market. As result, the problem for agents lies not in searching out options but choosing which one is best for your client.
For example, Keycamp has extended its programme to Greece, with bungalow accommodation at the Camping Areti site in Halkidiki starting at £854 for a family of four, accommodation-only, in August.
National account manager Michelle Betley-Jones, says: “This specially selected park offers agents a fantastic option for families seeking a spot of traditional Greek charm without breaking the bank.”
Closer to home, the Edinburgh Residence hotel has launched a family adventure short break in conjunction with Wilderness Scotland, an award-winning adventure travel and ecotourism company.
Three nights for a family of four costs £2,247 in July and August, including entrance fees to nature reserves, private guides, bike hire, breakfast every day and dinner on the first night.
For families with a bit more brass, the first family-friendly resort in the Seychelles, the four-star Constance Ephelia, has just opened on Mahe, offering 12 family villas with private pools. And with Air Seychelles offering special fares for 2010, this year is a great time to go.
Prices start at £7,292 for a family of four, with breakfast and flights through Elite Vacations.
The Maldives
The destination has the best of both worlds because the school summer holidays fall in the Maldives’ low season, yet the climate is pretty consistent year-round.
One property ideal for young children is the small island retreat of Vilu Reef Beach & Spa Resort. It offers plenty of shade and multi-coloured fish that swim up to the water villas.
Sample product: Thomas Cook Holidays With Style is offering seven nights’ half-board at the Vilu Reef Beach & Spa Resort for £5,326 for a family of four, a saving of £386, in July. thomascookstyle.com, 0871 230 2399
Turkey
Already the top-selling summer destination for 2010, this year has seen more family-friendly properties coming on to the market in Turkey.
Cosmos has introduced the Kefaluka Resort in Akyarlar Bay, Turgetreis, not far from Bodrum. Akyarlar Bay has shallow waters and a sandy beach, with superb scenery and a range of watersports.
Facilities to keep the kids entertained include a water park, children’s à la carte restaurant, family rooms, kids’ club for three to 12-year-olds and a teens’ club, not to mention a private beach.
As a bonus for families, the transfer journey time is short because the resort is just nine miles from Bodrum airport.
Sample product: A seven-night stay at the property with Cosmos costs £899 per adult all-inclusive, and £299 per child, in late July, including flights.
cosmos-holidays.co.uk, 0871 423 8518
The Red Sea
The plentiful resorts on the Red Sea offer some fantastic value-for-money breaks for families. For example, Red Sea Hotels charges a fixed child price of £399 year-round and for 2010 is offering a ‘free all-inclusive upgrade’ for children whose parents have booked either bed and breakfast, half-board or full-board.
A particularly good property for families is the five-star Makadi Palace hotel on Makadi Bay, 18 miles from Hurghada. It has a secluded, unspoilt beach, large pool with children’s section, a full range of sports and activities, plus a children’s club.
Sample product: Seven nights’ all-inclusive in July costs £2,346 for a family of four, including flights and transfers, through Red Sea Holidays. redseaholidays.co.uk/agents, 0845 313 9949
Switzerland
Crystal Lakes is throwing in a three-day local transport pass for the family at the four-star Hotel Lago di Lugano.
The hotel, which is new for the operator for 2010, is in Lugano, in Switzerland’s most southerly region. A good option for outdoor types looking for more than a beach holiday, the property has children’s clubs for youngsters up to age 14, games room, outdoor activities and free canoe, dinghy, pedalo, windsurf and cycle hire.
Sample product: Seven nights’ half-board costs £1,279 for adults, £879 for children up to six and £1,079 for children up to 15. crystallakes.co.uk, 0871 230 8148
Spain
The La Manga Club in Murcia is launching a family programme, Funlandia, with activities and events for the summer and half-term holidays.
Funlandia activities will include sports matches and tournaments, karaoke and discos, kids’ dinner and movie nights and family bingo.
Funlandia is in addition to La Manga Club’s Junior Academy courses, which offer safe and fun sports coaching.
Free meals for children under five are also on offer at a selection of the resort’s restaurants.
Sample product: A stay at La Manga’s four-star Las Lomas Village costs €431 per day for a family of four, staying half-board in a two-bedroom apartment. Flights are not included. lamangaclub.com, 00 34 968 17 5577
Jersey
Easily accessible, and with the chance of better weather than on the UK mainland, Jersey is a good value option for families. The short flying time means it’s perfect for little ones, while families on a budget can opt instead to get there by channel ferry.
Les Ormes is an ideal location for holidays or short breaks, with options ranging from self-catering coastal cottages to luxury lodges with their own private outdoor hot tub.
Kids’ activities include morning fun camps, tennis, golf and swimming lessons. Two miles away is sister park La Pulente, next to a sandy beach and within a good walking and cycling area.
Sample product: Premier Holidays has seven nights’ self-catering at Les Ormes for £405 per adult by ferry and £465 by air, in July. Children under two travel free by ferry and £29 by air; children aged two to 11 travel for £29 by sea and £99 by air respectively. trade.premierholidays.co.uk, 0844 493 7777
Easter and Half-Term deals
Cyplon is offering seven nights’ all-inclusive at the five-star St Raphael Resort for £990 per adult, £390 for the first child and £620 for the second child, in the first week of April, a discount of £223. cyplon.com, 0800 074 8888
Boatman’s Loft, a beach apartment in Cornwall, near the Watergate Bay surfing beach, has six nights for £333 for up to six people, on April 10. There is still availability in the May half-term for seven nights for £561. cornishhorizons.co.uk, 01841 533331
Exclusive Escapes has lopped £2,000 per family off a seven-night, half-board package at its newly introduced property, Bordubet Hotel, near Datca, Turkey for the May half-term. The price is now £3,900 for a family of four, including flights. exclusiveescapes.co.uk, 020 8605 3500
Olympic Holidays is offering savings of £108 per adult and up to £44 per child during the May half-term at the Makronissos Village Club, near Ayia Napa. Seven nights costs £655 per adult, £419 for the first child and £435 for the second child, in a one-bedroom apartment, all-inclusive, including flights and transfers. olympicholidays.com, 0800 093 3322
