Try talking Turkey for a late booking holiday

Jun 14 2008 by Our Correspondent, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

AFTER a big jump in visitors from Britain in the first quarter of 2008 Turkey is set to take advantage of its position outside the Eurozone to grab a sizeable share of the late bookings market this summer.

Figures from Turkey’s tourist authorities show the number of British visitors in the first quarter of 2008 jumped 18% to 206,000, against 173,000 for the same period last year.

Now Turkey is chasing its share of the late bookings market. While operators cut capacity this summer to avoid giveaways of around £99 per week an online survey by ebookers.com found 64% of respondents still waiting to book in the hope of a last-minute bargain.

Many could eventually choose Turkey, which consistently manages to keep prices below those of rivals.

Jewel in the Crown Holidays offers seven-night B&B breaks on the popular Turquoise Coast from £274, departing July 18 or 20, with three-star hotel prices from £288.

Olympic Holidays offers seven-night all-inclusives in the quiet resort of Ortakent, with flights into Bodrum, from £329 for seven nights and £459 for 14 from June 23, while Avro offers seven-night charter flights ex-Gatwick into Dalaman, departing June 30, from £199.

INFORMATION: Avro (0871 423 8564); Jewel in the Crown (0870 067 2352); Olympic (0844 499 4448).