So, the evenings are drawing in and the memories of sand between our toes and lazy days are drifting further away, but this certainly isn’t the time to stop thinking about holidays. Sara Evans, our new travel columnist, and owner of Select Escapes, independent travel agent, firmly believes that we should already be thinking ahead to get the most out of our 2017 holidays.
In the main, long gone are the days of last minute holiday discounts as holiday companies look to reward early bookers. There are of course some exceptions to this rule, including those companies who charter planes or commit to non-refundable hotel contracts. Those companies may well look to sell off holidays last minute if they have not reached maximum capacity, but this is a risky strategy for your well-deserved annual holiday. However, what is known in the holiday industry as the TOY campaigns (“turn of the year” holiday discounts), are now often overshadowed by early booking offers in the autumn months. Holiday brochures for the following year are now launched as the leaves are falling from the trees, fuelling discussions about holidays as we return from woodland walks and conker expeditions and settle in for buttery crumpets and a cuppa.
Additionally, as consumers seek confidence in their holiday destination choices it is clear that there has been a major displacement of tourism in some key European destinations. Consumers are turning their attention to perceived “safe” destinations and the European resorts of Croatia, Portugal and Spain and her islands have been very much in demand in 2016 whilst the Eastern Med has certainly seen a more negative pattern in tourist numbers, a trend likely to continue into 2017. These factors certainly all contribute to a recommendation to adopt an early booking culture to secure the accommodation you want at a price that’s affordable.
So to get ahead of the game, what are the top 5 tips for 2017 holidays?
- If you have school age children it’s definitely worth looking at the school calendar to see if you can make inset days work for you! For example, travelling on the Monday of May half–term can make you some significant savings if you can make this work. Going on holiday in the shoulder seasons in Europe can certainly offer some financial bonuses and weather in Southern Europe can be very pleasant early in the season. However, make sure there’s a heated pool on offer. Sani resort, Halkidiki now offers heated pools which makes an early spring break here in 2017 a great option. “I’ve swum in the sea in early May in Halkidiki” says Sara “but for many a few extra degrees would be required!”
- If you don’t have school aged children then you might want to look at how the Bank Holidays fall in the early part of the year. Easter is later with Good Friday on 14th April 2017 with opportunities of more settled weather in Southern Europe. But importantly with Easter Monday on 17th April there is only 9 days of work until the next Bank Holiday weekend at the beginning of May. So why not think about an early annual break and you could stretch your annual leave to 18 days with only 9 days leave!
- There are already some popular properties that are on “stop sell” for peak periods in 2017 – yes really! Why not take advantage of the expertise of a travel agent to ask about lesser-known properties in the same area. Travel agents spend much time researching and visiting destinations and really are an excellent source of knowledge.
- Early bookings are well rewarded in the cruise sector and the early booking culture has long been adopted. Rewards can include free on-board drinks packages, on board spending money and even free flights on some cruises. As Sara says “there’s a cruise out there for everyone with such an enormous variety of ships and experiences on offer”.
- If you’re looking for a villa then bear in mind that companies who have not yet released their 2017 programme, may have a pre-release reservation option, allowing you to secure your perfect villa for a small deposit with an option to cancel once prices are released. Remember your perfect villa is probably someone else’s too, and it’s worth putting the legwork in early.
So what’s on Sara’s radar for 2017…
“Europe is such a delicious blend of cultures, scenery and gastronomy and there’s always somewhere new to explore. Despite some changes in the market environment in the last few years it’s still an absolute favourite.
Mainland Greece – The Peloponnese and Halkidiki have been attracting the holidaymaker to some renowned hotels for some time, but I recommend looking at some of the smaller properties to get some local hospitality as well as enjoying a more intimate experience. Try Petrino Suites in Afitos, Halkidiki and enjoy a nearby private beach in addition to the well-appointed and hip pool area. The Epirus region (Ionian Coast) has good access via Preveza airport and while many tourists choose to head to the island of Lefkas, I suggest you stay on the mainland and base yourself in or close to Sivota. There’s a good range of hotels and villas and you’ll even find adventure holiday company Neilson have a great array of activities on offer at their Retreat BeachClub while for a more sedate stay in or around the harbour area might include an apartment or stay at the 4 star Domotel Agios Nikolaos part of a Greek hotel brand.
Portugal – The Algarve remains a favourite but head to the Tavira in the Eastern Algarve for a historical flavour in Posada Convento de Tavira or Western Algarve, to Sagres, for a laid back surf vibe and fabulous beaches – the Memmo Baleeira is a great design hotel here. Lisbon has been very much on the city break list for the last couple of years but for something different head to Oporto with direct air links from the UK and enjoy some port and local flavours and maybe take the train up the Duoro valley to a quinta for lunch!
Canary Islands – See another side to the Canary Islands. Stay in one of the many lovely rural hotels such as Casas Vieja, Villaverde, not far from the sand dunes of Corralejo, Fuerteventura or take an eight day boutique cruise aboard a 50 berth superb Mega-Yacht departing from Gran Canaria or Tenerife and with cruise stops in Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and the smaller islands of La Gomera and La Palma. Not only will you get a taste of the private yacht feeling with a swim off the swimming platform or some evening drinks on deck, you’ll get to see so much with ports of call on seven of the islands in the archipelago.
Next month I’ll explore some longer haul options for 2017” promises Sara.
