FRANCE is still the top short-break destination for the UKmarket according to specialist operator Travelscene.
And, although bookings for Paris last year were marginally down on the previous year’s record growth, the city benefited from an increase in tailor-made bookings for themed breaks including tickets to the opera, theatre and football.
Travelscene commercial manager Paul Stanley said: “Paris is extremely resilient and held up pretty well despite a fairly mediocre year for city breaks in general last year. We have certainly seen an increase in the number of clients who are looking to tailor-make bookings to Paris, either by twinning it with other cities or theming the weekend to take in a special event.”
Magic of France is hoping to capture a similar audience by including the Champagne region in its programme as a potential add-on to a Paris city break.
Paris Travel Service general manager Alan Box said the year had got off to a slow start. The operator is currently offering a special deal of £79 per person for two nights with British Midland flights to kickstart interest up until April 8. However, he predicted business would pick up as the year unfolds.
“There are lots of exciting events taking place throughout the year under the France 2000 banner, culminating in a big music festival in June when the Peripherique will be closed off.”
He also pointed to the recent reopening of the George V hotel after a two-year refurbishment and the reopening of the Pompidou Centre as two landmark events.
Besides Paris, which remains the number one city break in France, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Nice are also popular choices. According to short-break operator Cresta, many of these cities are seeing good forward bookings for spring and summer 2000. France brand manager Sarah Aulton said:”These cities have an average stay of four to five nights. All have enough to see and do in their own right as well as the usual French attractions of fine food and wine and the relaxation of cafe life.
“Lyon has really emerged as a strong alternative to Paris in the past couple of years; the maze of secret alleyways in Vieux Lyon is fascinating and a stay in Lyon is always followed by a guilty conscience and yet another diet – the food is magnificent.”
Another city that traditionallydidn’t even feature on the tourist map and is now experiencing a new lease of life is Lille. Travelscene’s Paul Stanley said: “Short-break bookings to Lille are continuing to hold up well, indicating that the city’s rise has not been a flash in the pan.
“After the Eurostar terminal was built there, the impact on tourism was marked. Further down the line, Lille is still attracting the same levels of business. Last year, the city reached our top 10 destinations which is no mean feat.”
Cresta’s Sarah Aulton said there had been a trend for clients going on flydrive or self-drive touring holidays to start or finish their holiday with a city break.
“Bordeaux and Lyon benefit when customers choose to combine a city break with a touring holiday along the wine routes of Dordogne and Burgundy.”
Nice, Cannes, Villefranch and Antibes in the Riviera region attract loyal visitors year after year. Aulton said: “The Riviera accounts for around 30% of bookings to France for Cresta. Visitors are drawn by the mild climate which starts early and extends long into the autumn months – perfect for sightseeing or just relaxing for a few days.
“Good flight access and an extensive range of hotels have seen this region’s continued growth as a short break destination,” she said.
The city of Nantes in western France is expected to get a major boost as a short-break destination when GBAirways commences its new daily scheduled service on March 16. Nantes is an ideal gateway for the Loire region, southern Brittany and the Vendee but is also expected to attract interest in its own right.
Magic of Francetop-selling city breaks
1. Paris.
2. Nice.
3. Monte Carlo.
4. Normandy.
5. Champagne.
Short breaks in France
Magic of France: three nights from £125 at the Hotel Le Clos in the Champagne region including ferry crossing.
Kirker Holidays:a two-night stay at the recently refurbished Four Seasons George V deluxe hotel costs from £665 per person bed and breakfast. This includes an upgrade to deluxe rooms, as well as canapes, flowers and champagne on arrival. The price also includes return travel by Eurostar, transfer on arrival, a free Seine river cruise and a carnet of metro/bus tickets.
Unicorn Holidays: a two-night stay in the Provence countryside at the four-star Les Bories hotel costs from £666 per person until the end of June and £702 in peak season, inclusive of half-board accommodation, return scheduled flights from Gatwick to Marseilles and hire car.
FRANCE is still the top short-break destination for the UKmarket according to specialist operator Travelscene.
And, although bookings for Paris last year were marginally down on the previous year’s record growth, the city benefited from an increase in tailor-made bookings for themed breaks including tickets to the opera, theatre and football.
Travelscene commercial manager Paul Stanley said: “Paris is extremely resilient and held up pretty well despite a fairly mediocre year for city breaks in general last year. We have certainly seen an increase in the number of clients who are looking to tailor-make bookings to Paris, either by twinning it with other cities or theming the weekend to take in a special event.”
Magic of France is hoping to capture a similar audience by including the Champagne region in its programme as a potential add-on to a Paris city break.
Paris Travel Service general manager Alan Box said the year had got off to a slow start. The operator is currently offering a special deal of £79 per person for two nights with British Midland flights to kickstart interest up until April 8. However, he predicted business would pick up as the year unfolds.
“There are lots of exciting events taking place throughout the year under the France 2000 banner, culminating in a big music festival in June when the Peripherique will be closed off.”
He also pointed to the recent reopening of the George V hotel after a two-year refurbishment and the reopening of the Pompidou Centre as two landmark events.
Besides Paris, which remains the number one city break in France, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Nice are also popular choices. According to short-break operator Cresta, many of these cities are seeing good forward bookings for spring and summer 2000. France brand manager Sarah Aulton said:”These cities have an average stay of four to five nights. All have enough to see and do in their own right as well as the usual French attractions of fine food and wine and the relaxation of cafe life.
“Lyon has really emerged as a strong alternative to Paris in the past couple of years; the maze of secret alleyways in Vieux Lyon is fascinating and a stay in Lyon is always followed by a guilty conscience and yet another diet – the food is magnificent.”
Another city that traditionallydidn’t even feature on the tourist map and is now experiencing a new lease of life is Lille. Travelscene’s Paul Stanley said: “Short-break bookings to Lille are continuing to hold up well, indicating that the city’s rise has not been a flash in the pan.
“After the Eurostar terminal was built there, the impact on tourism was marked. Further down the line, Lille is still attracting the same levels of business. Last year, the city reached our top 10 destinations which is no mean feat.”
Cresta’s Sarah Aulton said there had been a trend for clients going on flydrive or self-drive touring holidays to start or finish their holiday with a city break.
“Bordeaux and Lyon benefit when customers choose to combine a city break with a touring holiday along the wine routes of Dordogne and Burgundy.”
Nice, Cannes, Villefranch and Antibes in the Riviera region attract loyal visitors year after year. Aulton said: “The Riviera accounts for around 30% of bookings to France for Cresta. Visitors are drawn by the mild climate which starts early and extends long into the autumn months – perfect for sightseeing or just relaxing for a few days.
“Good flight access and an extensive range of hotels have seen this region’s continued growth as a short break destination,” she said.
The city of Nantes in western France is expected to get a major boost as a short-break destination when GBAirways commences its new daily scheduled service on March 16. Nantes is an ideal gateway for the Loire region, southern Brittany and the Vendee but is also expected to attract interest in its own right.
FRANCE is still the top short-break destination for the UKmarket according to specialist operator Travelscene.
And, although bookings for Paris last year were marginally down on the previous year’s record growth, the city benefited from an increase in tailor-made bookings for themed breaks including tickets to the opera, theatre and football.
Travelscene commercial manager Paul Stanley said: “Paris is extremely resilient and held up pretty well despite a fairly mediocre year for city breaks in general last year. We have certainly seen an increase in the number of clients who are looking to tailor-make bookings to Paris, either by twinning it with other cities or theming the weekend to take in a special event.”
Magic of France is hoping to capture a similar audience by including the Champagne region in its programme as a potential add-on to a Paris city break.
Paris Travel Service general manager Alan Box said the year had got off to a slow start. The operator is currently offering a special deal of £79 per person for two nights with British Midland flights to kickstart interest up until April 8. However, he predicted business would pick up as the year unfolds.
“There are lots of exciting events taking place throughout the year under the France 2000 banner, culminating in a big music festival in June when the Peripherique will be closed off.”
He also pointed to the recent reopening of the George V hotel after a two-year refurbishment and the reopening of the Pompidou Centre as two landmark events.
Besides Paris, which remains the number one city break in France, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Nice are also popular choices. According to short-break operator Cresta, many of these cities are seeing good forward bookings for spring and summer 2000. France brand manager Sarah Aulton said:”These cities have an average stay of four to five nights. All have enough to see and do in their own right as well as the usual French attractions of fine food and wine and the relaxation of cafe life.
“Lyon has really emerged as a strong alternative to Paris in the past couple of years; the maze of secret alleyways in Vieux Lyon is fascinating and a stay in Lyon is always followed by a guilty conscience and yet another diet – the food is magnificent.”
Another city that traditionallydidn’t even feature on the tourist map and is now experiencing a new lease of life is Lille. Travelscene’s Paul Stanley said: “Short-break bookings to Lille are continuing to hold up well, indicating that the city’s rise has not been a flash in the pan.
“After the Eurostar terminal was built there, the impact on tourism was marked. Further down the line, Lille is still attracting the same levels of business. Last year, the city reached our top 10 destinations which is no mean feat.”
Cresta’s Sarah Aulton said there had been a trend for clients going on flydrive or self-drive touring holidays to start or finish their holiday with a city break.
“Bordeaux and Lyon benefit when customers choose to combine a city break with a touring holiday along the wine routes of Dordogne and Burgundy.”
Nice, Cannes, Villefranch and Antibes in the Riviera region attract loyal visitors year after year. Aulton said: “The Riviera accounts for around 30% of bookings to France for Cresta. Visitors are drawn by the mild climate which starts early and extends long into the autumn months – perfect for sightseeing or just relaxing for a few days.
“Good flight access and an extensive range of hotels have seen this region’s continued growth as a short break destination,” she said.
The city of Nantes in western France is expected to get a major boost as a short-break destination when GBAirways commences its new daily scheduled service on March 16. Nantes is an ideal gateway for the Loire region, southern Brittany and the Vendee but is also expected to attract interest in its own right.