| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 01/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 33 |
| Copyright: Other |
Holiday Options develops city-break programmes for 2001
Croatia specialist Holiday Options is to develop a Central and Eastern Europe city-break programme for next year, initially offering Berlin, Vienna, Salzburg and St Petersburg.It may also include the Croatian capital Zagreb and Dubrovnik on Croatia’s Adriatic coast.
Chairman Jonathan Oakes said: “Zagreb will appeal to people who have enjoyed Prague and Budapest.”
Holiday Options will introduce charters from Glasgow, Newcastle, Bristol and Stansted to Croatia next summer, while continuing to use the Gatwick and Manchester services of Croatia Airlines.
The operator also plans to feature more boutique-style hotels and villas in Croatia next year.
“There are charming, owner-operated smaller hotels, some converted from noblemen’s palaces or convents,” said Oakes.
Holiday Options took 2,500 clients to Croatia next year, its first year of operation to the country. Its original target of 8,000 was severely reduced by the Kosovo war.
This year the operator is again aiming for 8,000 clients to the destination. It is also targeting another 2,000 clients to Slovenia, which has been added to the programme this year.
“We’ve made an encouraging start, with forward bookings 200% up on last year,” said Oakes.