Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Airline collapse - protected?

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

Here is a piece I have written for the Update pages of the next Holiday Villas magazine (to be published Oct 24). As many of you are concerned about the possible future collapse of more airlines, I thought it would be helpful to post it here now: 

When you book your next villa or apartment holiday, make sure you choose your travel insurance carefully, tourism experts have advised, after the collapse of airline and charter company XL Leisure.

Many independent travellers who booked flights with  XL discovered, too late, that their insurance policy did not cover airline failure. In some cases they had to dig deep to pay for expensive return tickets with other airlines at the end of their holidays.

If you book accommodation through Holiday Villas or www.villaseek.com, and then fix up your flight separately, we advise you to get cover for possible airline collapse.

Only a  small number of companies offer this, although more are starting to do so. They include: the Post Office; Swiftcover; Karma Insurance, and International Passenger Protection Ltd (IPP). You may also be able to get an add-on policy through your existing insurer – it’s worth asking. Or, for about £4 internet insurer InsureFor offers a standalone policy for supplier failure to add on to an existing insurance you have with any other company.

If you pay for your flights by credit card you have some protection, though a refund will only kick in if your flight cost more than £100. Incidental costs will not be paid but the company should pick up the bill for getting you back to Britain.

Useful websites are: protectmyholiday.com; postoffice.co.uk; swiftcover.com; insurefor.com

Posted in Flights, Insurance, News | 1 Comment »

Lanzarote thrives!

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

Despite financial doom and gloom, it seems we’re still making sure we go on holiday. Hurrah! Good for the health; good for the soul.

Nick Ball, editor of a popular guide to Lanzarote, tells us that in the first half of this year, his particular Canary Island – he’s lived there six years – experienced a bumper increase in British visitors. 

Nick tells us: “According to research recently released by AENA, the Spanish airport authority, tourist visits from the UK have, in fact, increased by a whopping 15.6% during the first half of this year, in comparison with the same period in 2007.

“The island received 509,755 British guests up until the end of this June (2008).

“Irish visitor numbers have increased, too – with 123,047 tourists from Eire travelling to Lanzarote over the same period.  

“This is a rise of 5.4% on 2007 figures – and an indication of the island’s incredible popularity in the Republic – Lanzarote attracts more Irish visitors annually than any other destination in Spain.

“Other key markets, such as the Netherlands, Austria, Norway and Sweden, have also helped contribute to an overall increase in foreign visitor numbers of 5.6% during the first half of 2008. Germany is the only major market returning negative figures – down 13% to date on 2007.

“The Canary Island Tourist Board has also recently reported that the number of Spanish nationals visiting Lanzarote is on the rise, too – it’s gone up 3.7% during the first half of 2008.

“Collectively, these figures represent the best first half year performance that Lanzarote has enjoyed for many years – a trend which, if continued, will see the island break the one million British visitors barrier for the first time since 2003.”

You can find out more about the guide by going to: www.lanzaroteguidebook.com

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Canaries, News, Spain | No Comments »