Collett’s Mountain Holidays joins AITO

Collett’s Mountain Holidays has signalled its strategy for future growth by joining the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), an association of more than 140 independent and specialist travel companies providing an unrivalled collection of holidays throughout the world.

Collett's has successfully specialised in mountain holidays to the Italian Dolomites and South Tyrol for over 10 years and offers a good range of accommodation in Arabba, Corvara & Pedraces - three enchanting villages surrounded by magical alpine scenery and arguably the most beautiful mountains in the world.

The company is widely regarded as the UK's leading operator to the region and offers holidays for lovers of mountains, whatever their alpine interests, although the main focus in summer is on walkers (of all fitness levels), Via Ferrata enthusiasts, botanists, climbers and watercolour artists. Summer season prices for 7 nights’ accommodation range from £275 per person bed & breakfast in a hosted chalet to £595 per person half board in a 4 star hotel.

Accommodation for 7 nights in self-catering apartments ranges from £195 per person to £330 per person depending on the number of guests and type of apartment. All accommodation options include the complimentary services of locally based Collett’s staff.

In winter, it is the turn of the snow-shoers, winter walkers and downhill & cross-country skiers in Arabba and Pedraces: prices for 7 nights’ accommodation, based on two people sharing, range from £295 per person in a self catering apartment to £450 per person half board in a hosted chalet.

Building on the success of the Dolomites & South Tyrol programme, Collett’s has recently launched a summer 2008 walking programme in the French & Spanish Pyrenees, centred on Luz (Midi-Pyrenees) and Panticosa (Aragon).

Introducing the new programme, Tom Collett, Managing Director of Collett’s, said: “We are undoubtedly in one of the most breathtaking regions of the Pyrenees mountain range. With charming accommodation on both sides of the border, people can experience the startling differences between the French and Spanish sides. The successful Collett's holiday formula applies, but the geography of the Pyrenees means that this holiday product is primarily for walkers, who relish the challenge of a series of exhilarating day walks in wild and remote mountain terrain”.

Summer season prices for 7 nights’ hotel accommodation range from £355 per person bed & breakfast to £450 per person half board in a 4 star hotel. Accommodation for 7 nights in self-catering apartments ranges from £195 per person to £260 per person depending on the number of guests and type of apartment. All accommodation options include the complimentary services of locally based Collett’s staff.

According to Collett, “our new Pyrenees programme has generated a significant number of bookings from existing clients and I am delighted that sales are already well ahead of budget”.

Closer to home, Collett’s has just acquired Eastfield Lodge, Leyburn (Wensleydale), “a delightful hotel in a beautiful corner of the Yorkshire Dales” commented Collett. “It is another mouth-watering option for walkers and lovers of the great outdoors which was the idea behind our acquisition”.

As an enhancement of the company's business philosophy and wider 'green' strategy, Collett's recently became a Corporate Partner of The Woodland Trust. Collett explained: “Our key move on the environmental question was to become a corporate member of this very important organisation. This was not easy to come by, as the Woodland Trust needs to see an active commitment from its corporate partners to make a difference to the environment.

“We are committed to a donation of £20,000 in Summer 2008, which in theory will result in the planting of 4,000 broadleaf trees. In effect, this means that Collett’s can claim to be carbon-neutral, although we intend to strive to do even better than that in the coming years. We are raising this money by donating £5 for every person who comes on a Collett’s Mountain Holiday and asking our clients to match our donation.

“If we fall short of £20,000, Collett’s is committed to making up the shortfall. However, if our clients respond well to our appeal, we might raise close to £40,000!”

For further information visit colletts.co.uk.