Increasing competitiveness in the holiday flight market has resulted in some happy customers and predominantly, perhaps unexpectedly, full planes.
We search live systems daily to find the best rates for our members and there are some very pleasant surprises around the corner for travellers to the usual European hotspots, as well as further afield.
Julie Fenlon, Club La Costa Group Travel Manager
Despite the doom and gloom that fills the daily newspapers, the downturn in holidays has not materialised, giving rise to optimism that this is one sector of the market that could buck the trend.
Ironically, one of the most positive results of the upbeat holiday market has been the re-emergence of attractive flight prices to a host of destinations, especially those in and around Europe. One of the first litmus tests of 2009 was the recent half- term UK holiday week, with the industry holding its breath to compare occupancy levels with 2008, a bumper year.
At Club La Costa, one of Europe's leading holiday providers, the figures have emphasised the determination of their members not to give up their valued holidays. Speaking about actual increased occupancy statistics for the corresponding week, Club La Costa Resorts & Hotels' Director of Club Operations and Travel, Mr Guy Mantel said: "With resorts across Europe in the UK, Spain, Tenerife and Austria we have been delighted to see a modest increase in occupancy year-on-year at a time when predictions were for reduced numbers."
He continued: "What's more, as we look ahead to the summer we are already seeing some exceptional advance bookings for our other destinations and especially Turkey where we will be opening our latest resort in August. It reflects our confidence in our own product but also cements the historical fact that in times of economic downturn, regular holidaymakers turn to timeshare as one of the most cost-effective ways to take them."
So what of those flight prices?
Club La Costa Group Travel Manager Julie Fenlon offered her views. "We search live systems daily to find the best rates for our members and there are some very pleasant surprises around the corner for travellers to the usual European hotspots, as well as further afield. For example, book now and you could be heading to Spain in April for as little as £67 per person, and as little as £106 for some dates in July. For Austria, where we have our resort near Zell Am See, we are seeing prices as low as £39 pp in April and May and only £56 for June and July, incredible value!"
And what of one of 2009's most talked about destinations, Turkey?
"We have resorts in two locations in Turkey, the Loryma Resort near Dalaman and our very own brand new resort in Bozbuk Bay: Club La Costa Adonis, which opens its doors in August this year. We have a selection of check-in days, which increases flight choice and, in turn, means cheaper options if you can fly outside of the 'usual' arrival days. Pricing for Turkey is fluid as more and more airlines compete for business and it has resulted in lowering prices, as low as £199 for September and October and only £259 for some dates in August. These really are terrific value."
It seems that people will give up cigarettes, drink and even shop more frugally to stave off the effects of belt tightening, but holidays remain sacrosanct and for once it is good to see the airlines playing their part by maintaining, or in many cases lowering, their prices. One word of caution  more than ever before, booking flights early is by far the best option. The closer to travel dates you get, the more expensive they'll become.
Club La Costa Resorts & Hotels has 23 resorts across Europe and more than 50,000 members. For more information visit www.clublacosta.com
We search live systems daily to find the best rates for our members and there are some very pleasant surprises around the corner for travellers to the usual European hotspots, as well as further afield.
