Be prepared for a boost in winter-sun bookings with these good-value short-haul spots, writes Katie McGonagle.
Click here to download and save as a PDF.
After a few weeks of good weather, the prospect of a British summer stretching out before us might not seem as off-putting as first thought. Once lockdown is fully lifted, we can enjoy walks in the sunshine, have picnics in the park, and appreciate all the little things we haven’t been able to do before now.
In fact, we might not even feel the full effect of missing out on our annual summer holiday – that is, until we get to November, when drizzly days and dark evenings set in, and we realise just how much of a boost that dose of summer sun would have been.
It’s that possibility that is sustaining the winter-sun market, in the hope that some customers will swap their summer beach breaks to later in the year or to early 2021, when they feel more confident in both booking and travelling.
“There are plenty of short-haul spots that guarantee a winning combination of sunshine, short flights and serious value for money.”
Whether you’re looking for places to rebook clients right now or scoping out the options to sell later in the year, there are plenty of short-haul spots that guarantee a winning combination of sunshine, short flights and serious value for money.
It could be the Canary Islands or Cape Verde, the breezy shores of Cyprus or Malta where great deals can be found in winter months, or the exotic sights and sounds of north Africa. There’s plenty of choice out there, so here are just a few options to offer clients in search of short-haul sunshine this winter.
Like Morocco?
Marrakech is the first stop for most Morocco visitors, but turn your eyes toward this country’s coastline and there are some good-value beach towns to consider too. The coastal resorts of Agadir and Essaouira mix distinctive Arabian architecture with long, sweeping seafronts, busy souks with laid-back surf schools, and traditional hammams at a fraction of the price elsewhere.
Try Egypt
Sharm el-Sheikh, once the darling of the value-driven winter-sun market, has been out of bounds for British travellers since 2015, when a terrorist attack on a Russian plane triggered a Foreign Office flight ban from the UK, until February this year, when Tui resumed direct services. Things were looking up, with hoteliers keen to revive their fortunes and British travellers, seemingly, just as eager to return, until the current crisis brought its budding recovery to a stop.
With more still to do in rebuilding confidence in the Red Sea resort, prices are likely to remain competitive this winter, and its enduring attractions – including some of the best snorkelling and diving anywhere in the world – remain as compelling as ever.
“The resort’s enduring attractions – including some of the best snorkelling and diving anywhere in the world – remain as compelling as ever.”
Mark Hall, director of product and destination experience at Tui UK & Ireland, says: “Sharm el-Sheikh was always a hugely popular destination and I am delighted that we have reintroduced the Egypt favourite to our future programmes.”
Book it: Tui offers a week at the 5T-rated Tui Sensatori Resort Sharm El Sheikh on an all-inclusive basis from £781 per person, based on two adults and two children sharing, including flights departing Gatwick on November 25, and transfers.
tui.co.uk
Like Israel?
Combining ancient religious sites in Jerusalem with a youthful foodie vibe in Tel Aviv, Israel springs to mind for hipster city breaks and history tours, yet it’s a great spot for a culture-packed winter-sun escape too. Base clients in Tel Aviv for the best of both worlds – Bauhaus buildings, markets and miles of glorious beachfront, with historic Jaffa and Jerusalem in easy reach.
Try The Gambia
It’s exotic enough to impress the neighbours, yet The Gambia is surprisingly accessible, just a six-hour flight from the UK and within the same time zone. The beaches are a big draw, but the main attraction is that this west African country is more than a sun-and-sand destination, with local culture and abundant wildlife – expect sightings of brightly coloured birds, vervet monkeys or monitor lizards on the way to breakfast, or book a birding tour to explore in more depth – adding to the experience.
Katie Durham, product manager at The Gambia Experience, says: “The Gambia is a great winter-sun destination for many reasons – aside from its uncrowded sandy beaches, diverse wildlife, vibrant culture and welcoming people, the climate is hard to beat, with year-round sunshine and 32-degree temperatures.
“The beaches are a big draw, but the main attraction is that this west African country is more than a sun-and-sand destination, with local culture and abundant wildlife.”
“It also offers visitors a safe and soft introduction to unspoilt Africa. From beach breaks and wildlife encounters to exploring local villages and life along its river, plus the great variety of accommodation choices, it’s a hard holiday destination to beat.”
Book it: The Gambia Experience offers seven nights’ B&B at Kombo Beach Hotel from £599 for selected departures in November and December, including flights, inflight meal and transfers.
gambia.co.uk
Like Tenerife?
We tend to think of Tenerife as primarily a beach destination – those golden stretches along the Costa Adeje or black volcanic sands of Puerto de la Cruz are justifiably well-known – yet it offers so much more. Try hiking the lunar-like terrain of Teide National Park, taking a whale or dolphin-spotting cruise off the coast, or exploring the Unesco-listed Old Town of La Laguna.
Try Gran Canaria
Like its Canary Island neighbour, Gran Canaria can be unfairly reduced to a fly-and-flop favourite, but step off its bar-lined beachfront promenades and there’s more to do than sunbathe. Just moments from south coast resort towns such as Playa del Ingles lie the Maspalomas Dunes, a protected nature reserve full of undulating desert dunes more reminiscent of the Sahara than mainland Spain.
“Gran Canaria can be unfairly reduced to a fly-and-flop favourite, but step off its bar-lined beachfront promenades and there’s more to do than sunbathe.”
Turn to the interior, and the island’s verdant, volcano-forged landscapes present hikers and mountain bikers with a vast network of trails to explore, with road-accessible viewpoints for those who want the sweeping caldera views without the hard work.
Capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is worth a day trip too, and perhaps even a twin-centre stay for those who want to soak up the atmosphere in historic hotels such as the refurbished Barceló property, Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, which reopened late last year. Stroll around old town La Vegueta for cobbled streets and colonial-style facades, or refuel with cured meats and Canarian cheese at the bustling Mercado del Puerto.
“Capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is worth a day trip too, and perhaps even a twin-centre stay for those who want to soak up the atmosphere in historic hotels.”
Book it: Olympic Holidays offers a week at Gloria Palace San Agustin Hotel in Gran Canaria from £500 per person based on two sharing on a half-board basis, flying from Stansted on January 25, 2021.
olympicholidays.com
Read more
Winter sun escapes in The Gambia
The best budget-friendly winter sun spots
Romantic winter sun holidays
