America on sale
Hotel rooms marked down to bargain basement levels, two-for-one restaurant meals and flights at low, low rates have between them helped to shield UK holidaymakers from the impact of the plummeting pound in 2009 and kept travel to America – particularly Florida - afloat, according to US specialist Jetsave.com.
“At a time when the sterling exchange rate could have led to soaring costs for families travelling to Florida, it seems as through America decided to put out the sale signs. As a result we were able to peg - or even lower - holiday prices and this has meant that Florida, the great family favourite, has had a brilliant year,” said Sarah Lax, Jetsave Programme Director.
In its annual review of US holiday sales and costs, Jetsave revealed that its analysis of self-catering prices in Florida showed that a June trip to the Sunshine State could cost roughly the same as Spain. It found that a family of four could stay in a three-bedroom Orlando home with its own swimming pool, flights, free car hire and ‘kids eat free’ card covering over 50 restaurants for around £2,180. By comparison, a Spanish family holiday with accommodation in a one bedroom apartment and no extras cost £1,901.
“This is why families stay faithful to Florida,” said Sarah Lax. “Given the current economic climate, we certainly didn’t expect 2009 to be as good as last year but we were wrong. The value for money we were able to offer as a result of keen pricing by suppliers meant that our bookings went up – by around 15 per cent year on year - rather than down.”
The biggest growth recorded was for self-catering homes, which offer the opportunity for larger groups of family and friends to stay together, keeping costs to a minimum. This now accounts for around 35 per cent of Jetsave’s Florida business.
Looking ahead to 2010, the prospects look equally bright with growth still being registered on the back of a succession of keen offers. Couples can get away to Orlando for around £500 per person for a 10-day or two week holiday in January while canny families can pick up a bargain at Walt Disney World Resort next summer – saving up to £1,500 – if they book before the end of the year.
“But it isn’t just Florida that has been cost-cutting,” said Sarah Lax. “A glut of hotels has flooded the market in Las Vegas in recent months and this means that hoteliers are offering price levels that we haven’t seen before in Sin City. This means that we have been able to shave pounds off our escorted west coast tours in the coming months.”
AMERICA ON SALE PRICES
10 NIGHTS IN ORLANDO FOR UNDER £500
Departing London Gatwick on 12th January with British Airways, Jetsave is offering 10-night room-only stays at the 3* Quality Inn International Drive, Florida for £499 per person (based on two sharing) – a saving of 23 per cent (£152pp). Located near Universal Orlando Resort, the hotel offers two swimming pools, restaurant, bar, and games room. The package also includes free Alamo car hire.
KICK-START THE NEW YEAR WITH 2 WEEKS IN ORLANDO – ONLY £529
Departing London Gatwick on New Year’s Eve, a two-week holiday at the 3* Monumental Movieland, cost £529 per person (based on two sharing) – a saving of 26 per cent (£186pp) including four free nights. Located on Orlando’s famous International Drive, the hotel offers a swimming pool, restaurant, bar and games room, as well as free shuttle transfers to Universal Orlando Resort. The package includes 14 nights’ room-only accommodation, return Virgin Atlantic flights and free Alamo car hire.
NEW YEAR ORLANDO HOMESTAY
Plan a January break to Orlando and stay in a Disney Area Villa, located within 20 miles of the Disney theme parks. Split one week in a three-bedroom house with private swimming pool four ways and the package costs £629 per person, departing London Gatwick on 18th January with Virgin Atlantic.
BOOK NOW FOR A DISNEY PACKAGE SAVING OF OVER £1,500 FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR
Families booking a summer holiday in Orlando at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort by 31 December can bag free Disney dining (worth £336 per adult and £112 per child). With facilities that include a themed pool area with water slides, children’s playground, games arcade and volleyball court, the four-star resort surrounds a 45-acre lake near Epcot. Departing 10th August, a two-week holiday costs £1,799 per person (child sharing price £849pp) including 14 nights’ accommodation, Virgin Atlantic flights from London Gatwick, transfers, free Disney Quick Service Dining Plan and a 14-day Ultimate Ticket for the Disney Theme Parks. Family of four price: £5,296 – saving 22 per cent (£1,516).
SEE SIN CITY ON A NEW WINTER TOUR AND SAVE 12 PER CENT
Departing on 14 January, a new nine-day winter west coast tour explores the natural attractions of America’s western frontier, throwing in the Sin City of Las Vegas and the ‘City of Angels’ Los Angeles for good measure. Providing a real flavour of the American west, the tour takes in Death Valley, Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite National Park together with the coastal attractions of Monterey and Carmel. Western Frontiers costs £1,195 per person, including BA flights from London Heathrow as well as tour accommodation, coach travel and entrance to parks and attractions.
For more information and bookings, visit Jetsave.com.