The far horizons

Thousands of sunseekers are set to book a long-haul break in the next few weeks, as Caribbean destinations offer the promise of good weather for little more than the cost of a short-haul break.

Hayes & Jarvis commercial director Niel Alobaidi, says: “The Caribbean has seen some great growth on the back of excellent value offers. Bookings across all the main islands in the region are up, with the most dramatic in the Dominican Republic, whose 100 per cent year-on-year growth has been driven largely by BA’s new direct flights into Punta Cana.”

The Post Office Travel Money Long Haul Report is expected to show that UK holidaymakers can enjoy the lowest Caribbean prices in the Dominican Republic, which has made it into the top 10 best value destinations. Their barometer of prices also shows a slight fall in the islands of Antigua, Barbados and Jamaica, too.

At this time of year, however, visitors need to balance any savings with the prospect of unpredictable weather, but with airlines also slashing fares, partly to offset the impact of flight taxes, it’s hard to resist.

Virgin Atlantic’s sale, running until September 20, includes economy returns to Barbados and Antigua (both £499), Grenada and Tobago (both £498), Jamaica (£523) and St Lucia (£526). Meanwhile British Airways’ sale, also running until September 20, includes seven nights’ room-only at the All Seasons Resort in Barbados from £599, and discounts of up to 29 per cent on first class flights to the Caribbean.

Hayes & Jarvis’ booking patterns show long-haul holidaymakers are ready to swap preferred destinations to grab the biggest savings. In Barbados, H&J has slashed 39 per cent off a one-week all-inclusive at four-star Almond Beach Club & Spa, Barbados, from November 10, so prices start at £949 (saving £602) to stay at a resort with a cooking school, inter-linked freshwater pools, free watersports, tennis and golf facilities, a fitness centre and spa. The package includes BA flights ex-Gatwick and transfers.

On Antigua, they’ve slashed prices of seven night stays at three-star Halcyon Cove by Rex Resorts, in a beachfront location in Dickenson Bay, from September 20, to just £499, saving £258, and also including BA flights ex-Gatwick, plus transfers.

Cosmos offers price cuts on bookings by September 18 for seven nights’ room-only from September 21 at the Grenadian by Rex Resorts on Tamarind Bay, Grenada, on two white sandy beaches popular with watersport fanatics, starting at £599, with Monarch flights and transfers.