Co-operative Travel launches plan to cut holiday costs

Canny holidaymakers who spend time checking their facts can save hundreds of pounds on a family holiday, new research released today by The Co-operative Travel shows.

The UK’s largest independent travel retailer has identified key areas where travellers can shave holiday prices – without cutting corners on quality.

As economic gloom deepens, the organisation has published a 10 point plan to help people make their holiday pound go further.

The Co-operative Travel has looked at a basket of basic services which holidaymakers purchase each year – including airport parking and travel insurance – and has come up with some startling savings.

The Co-operative Travel’s plan:

1.        Book airport parking well in advance of your date of travel.  If you book at least three months in advance you can save an average of 15% compared with booking last minute.

Typical saving: £10

2.        Check the extras before you book - if a price looks to good to be true that’s normally because it is.  Some companies charge extra for things like in-flights meals and in-resort transfers which can bring the price of your holiday right up.

Typical saving:  £30 per booking

3.        Buy year long travel insurance.  If you travel more than once a year, you are better off buying year-long multi-trip travel insurance than something for just one holiday.  Make sure you by the right insurance to meet your needs – particularly if you have a re-existing medical condition.

Typical saving: £130

4.        Learn to love May school half-term.  It’s a great time of the year to holiday if you have kids – places like Spain, the Canaries and Greece have plenty of sunshine - and you won’t pay the high prices of school summer holidays.  

Typical saving: up to £280 per booking

5.        If you’re planning to take the family to Disneyworld it can pay to buy your park tickets in advance through your travel agent.  These companies have access to discounts you don’t – so plan ahead and save pounds.

Typical saving: £89

6.        Book flights early – if you want to travel by low cost airline, you’ll get a better deal if you book early.  Prices go up the nearer you get to your chosen departure date, so get in early to bag the best bargains.

Typical saving: around £400 per booking

7.        Go for the free kids places – many companies offer free child places which can really bring down the price of travelling with kids.  Be up front and ask for these free places.

Typical saving: around £250

8.        Check into all-inclusive for a beach break.  If you’re travelling with a large party or family, make sure you pick all-inclusive (where food, drinks and activities are all included in the price).  It can make it much easier to budget and you don’t have to take too much holiday money with you.

Typical saving: around £250

9.        Avoid half-board in cities.  If you’re thinking of staying in a city – for a weekend break or longer – ditch half-board and go for bed and breakfast instead.  With plenty of restaurants to choose from, you’ll have more control over your budget and how much you spend on food.

Typical saving: Anything from £50 to £100

10.        Steer clear of foreign exchange booths at airports which will charge you high commission rates to change your money.  Instead, buy before you travel at your high street bank or travel agent.

Typical saving: £5

Trevor Davis, spokesperson for The Co-operative Travel, said: “Our research shows the individual holidaymaker could save up to £1000 on their holiday and if you think that 14.9 million package holidays Ref National Office of Statistics, Travel Trends Report, January 2008 are taken each year that’s a lot of money.  We’re not saying that all holidaymakers will be able to save £1000, but people can use our guide to help shave some cost off their holiday.

“Holidaymakers will always find tempting deals on the high street or online to help them travel for less.  But in many cases, a bit of careful planning can substantially reduce the amount we all need to pay out for two weeks in the sun.

“As the country’s largest independent group of travel agents, we want to be upfront with UK holidaymakers and show them how they can take some easy and practical steps to reduce the cost of their holiday.”

For your own copy of The Co-operative Travel’s holiday savings plan visit your nearest The Co-operative Travel store or log on to www.thecooperativetravel.co.uk.

ENDS

Notes: research conducted by The Co-operative Travel during January 2008