AGE CONCERN BRISTOL launches FULLY-ESCORTED HOLIDAYS
· Age Concern Bristol launches “Great holidays made easy”, exclusively for the mature traveller
· Research reveals that 37% of people in the South West won’t be taking a holiday in 20091
· Age Concern Bristol reminds people about the importance of taking a break
Age Concern Bristol has this week announced the launch of “Great holidays made easy” – a new tour service offering an exciting range of escorted breaks in the UK and abroad in association with leading specialist tour operator Grand UK Holidays.
The launch is supported by new research into the attitudes and behaviours of travellers released today by Age Concern Holidays2. This reveals that 37% of people in the South West will be missing out on taking a break in 2009 – 9% higher than the percentage of people who did not take a holiday last year3.
The research also shows that the top reason why so many people are missing out is that they are strapped for cash, with 56% of those people surveyed in the South West stating that money worries will stop them having a well earned rest this year. However, 63% would like to be able to take more holidays in 2009.
To offer the mature traveller from the South West a good value option, Age Concern has launched a new service comprising a wide range of escorted holidays to suit all tastes and pockets. Options range from the Dales to the Lakes and are available for both individual travellers and groups.
The tours4 benefit from free sightseeing excursions, the services of a friendly tour manager, a complete luggage handling service and direct coach travel to the resort, as well as exclusive Age Concern discounts5 and savings for groups of 10 or more people. There is also a variety of pick up points across the South West, with no single room supplements on mainland UK coach holidays.
Michele Cockain from Age Concern Bristol says: “We feel it’s vital that the over 50’s have the option to have a holiday, despite the tough economic conditions at the moment. Our work means that we interact with many older people on a daily basis and our experience shows that taking a break is very important to them - even just a few days away in the UK can help people to relax and unwind.
“From our own internal research we also know the reason that some people have not taken a holiday recently is because they have nobody to go with and don’t feel confident travelling alone6. We have therefore created what we believe is not only an affordable holiday service, but also one that meets the needs of these people by catering for group trips as well as those travelling alone. Our dedicated tour managers and extensive network of pick-up points mean that taking a holiday has never been easier and, as our holidays are escorted, they also offer added peace of mind.”
Grand UK Holidays specialises in holidays for the mature market and is a fully-bonded member of ABTA7, It is alsolicensed by the CAA8, providing financial security to customers.
All net profits generated by Age Concern Enterprises are donated to Age Concern England to support the charitable work it carries out in local communities, such as meals on wheels, rural day centres and handy man schemes.
To find out more about Age Concern Holidays call free on 0845 601 1416 or log on to www.ageconcern.org.uk/holidays. Alternatively, please visit Age Concern Bristolat Canningford House, 38 Victoria Street, Bristol BS1 6BY or call 0117 928 15559.
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*Correct in 2009. Grand UK Holidays was founded in 1984.
** Grand UK Holidays continually monitors costs to ensure it offers the best all-round value.
*** Luggage is collected at departure point on coach holidays and then delivered straight to the customer’s hotel room, so there’s no need to worry about handling heavy suitcases.