Holiday makers book UK breaks to avoid ash cloud misery

Leading operator Shearings Holidays has reported a surge in the number of holidaymakers booking UK breaks following the widespread air disruption caused by the ash cloud.

Shearings has seen bookings for summer 2010 British breaks increase by 12 per cent compared to the same period last year, and believes the rise has, in part, been fuelled by the ongoing uncertainty and rising prices of air travel.

Caroline Brown, commercial director for Shearings, said: “Customers booking their summer breaks are looking for the chance to relax and don’t want the worry that their holiday will get disrupted by cancelled flights.

“The British holiday enjoyed a resurgence last year and this year’s continuing air disruption is pushing more people to plan a UK break. As a result we’re predicting an even bigger British holiday boom than last year.”

To cater for the trend, Shearings has designed a new brochure which features the best of all its UK summer breaks, including a new British Isles cruise, which explores the entire coastline of Britain in 12 days.

Caroline added: “As well as traditional seaside breaks, customers are looking for more variety. For example, our British Isles cruise offers a different way of enjoying the country’s top sights and locations, and our escorted tours allow customers to visit several different places on one holiday.”

Savings of up to £120 per couple are available for customers booking a British break before 13 June 2010. Prices start from £184 for a five day Summer Spectacular break to Sunny Scarborough.

Destinations proving the most popular are East Anglia, Guernsey, the Heart of England, the Isle of Man, and the South Coast and Isle of Wight.

For more information call Shearings Holidays on 0844 209 7143, visit www.shearings.com or call into a Travel Agent.