The big migration
School's out and more than 1.8 million people are expected to leave the UK this week for their summer holiday, according to the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA). Holidays have sold well throughout the school summer break, with many families taking advantage of discounts in January and February, while others left booking until after the Jubilee weekend and World Cup. The Balearics, the Canaries and mainland Spain again top the family favourites, while Greece is at number four with Cyprus and Turkey following. Portugal comes next while France has seen package bookings up from last year by 10%. Florida is still our favourite long-haul destination.
Capital losses
London experienced the lowest hotel occupancy rates for June since 1993, largely due to the extra bank holiday to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee, which disrupted the business travel market, according to business and accountancy firm PKF. Occupancy rates for the capital were 6.2% down on last year, at 78%. Regional hotels experienced a 4.4% drop in occupancy.
Buzz prepares for winter
Low-cost airline Buzz has announced its 2002/2003 winter schedule on sale from Tuesday with reductions of up to 43% on 17 of its 22 winter routes and the launch of a five-times-daily London-Amsterdam service from October 27. It is also reintroducing ski destinations Chambery in the French Alps and Geneva, plus increased frequencies to Paris (CDG), Dusseldorf and Frankfurt. Buzz is offering return fares to Amsterdam from £42, Chambery from £60, Geneva from £50 and Paris from £42. For bookings, visit buzz.co.uk or call 0870 2407070.
More hotels online
Holidaymakers seeking savings through unpackaged options can search online for hotels, villas and apartments at a new site launched by Holiday Hotels, whose parent company is Holiday Autos. holidayhotels.co.uk offers accommodation in more than 50 resorts and cities in Europe and the US. It is offering a launch discount of £10 off every booking made online until the end of August. Bookings can also be made by calling 0870 2731273.
Ryanair gets flexible
Ryanair (Ryanair) is allowing passengers to change the name of the person travelling up to three hours prior to departure for a £15 fee. In November, it introduced a facility whereby passengers could change the date and time of their flight for £15.
Art of travel
The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam is to open an exhibition centre at Schiphol Airport at the end of November, which will house a permanent exhibition of 10 works by masters of the Dutch Golden Age, including Rembrandt, Pieter de Hoogh and Jan Steen.
Gatwick style departure
Anyone heading off for a mini-break from Gatwick South between August 5 and 19 will find themselves directed to the Mini Cooper S departure lounge. Open to all passengers, the lounge is to be given a "colourful, comfortable and chic" makeover during the peak of the summer rush when airports are most likely to drive people up the wall.
