UK tour operators have expanded their programmes to the Costa Brava this year after reporting a high demand for the main beach resorts.
Sunset, which features five resorts on the Costa Brava, has added three new apartment complexes and one new all-inclusive hotel to its programme following an increase in sales to the area.
Sunset product manager Miles Hazebroek said: “All of our properties on the Costa Brava are selling better than last year, probably because we have particularly good prices for the family market and Spain in general is very affordable.”
Sunset’s prices start at ú179 per person for two weeks, based on four sharing an apartment in Lloret de Mar.
Hazebroek also said that Sunset planned to expand further in order to cater for the extra demand it is anticipating for the Costa Brava next year.
Cosmos completely revamped its programme to the Costa Brava for this summer, weeding out properties that had become tired and old through lack of investment.
As a result, the company says that its bookings are 10% up on last year, in line with overall growth in the market. Its business to the Costa Dorada is up 20%, according to product director Danny Talbot, and he said the operator is looking to expand in both areas for 1999.
“I think we will have to add more properties in areas where we have got the right mix,” added Talbot.
Self-drive camping specialist Keycamp said that the Costa Brava is the most popular part of Spain for holidays in tents and mobile homes, partly because the camp sites offer such good-quality facilities.
“The weather is more reliable than in other parts of Spain, and resorts such as Estartit, Rodas, Pals and Vilanova – all of which are featured in our programme – are so well established in the UK market,” said a spokesman.
Keycamp’s prices start at ú184 for 10 nights for two adults and four children staying in a tent, including ferry or train crossing.
Mobile-home prices for a family of six start at ú299 for 12 nights.
Eurocamp is one of the few camping specialists to offer holidays on the Costa Dorada, where it has four sites.
Its prices start at ú269 for 14 nights in a tent at Playa d’Aro accommodating two adults and up to three children.
Coach operator Cosmos Tourama, which features four hotels on the Costa Brava, is also planning to expand into the Costa Dorada next year after seeing year-on-year increases in sales of its existing programme.
Tourama’s Sunlink packages to the Costa Brava start at ú169 for 10 days, including seven nights’ half-board accommodation.