Wheels of fortune

ALTHOUGH travel could be hit by the Government’s £17.5m subsidy being axed for some over-60 year olds, coaching holidays remain in demand.

In its 2011/2 programme in UK hotels, Shearings (0844 209 7143; www.shearings.com) has lead-in prices on four night half-board breaks of £109, five days from £124, and destinations range from Cornwall to Oban, in the north of Scotland.

On Lake Como, in the Italian Lakes, they’re offering nine nights all-inclusive at the Hotel Britannia Excelsior in Cadenabbia, from £299 (including two nights travelling overnight by Express Coach), and repeating the link with the overnight sleeper train to Scotland, which discounts the fare and includes a coach waiting at Inverness to provide a five day tour of the Highlands. Bob Atkinson from Travelsupermarket.com says: “Demand for staycation holidays initially boosted the coaching sector, but this is a highly competitive market with a reputation for value for money.

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“The big boys, like Shearings and Leger, face intensive competition from local companies, and cannot afford to let prices drift too high.

“Coaching holiday operators are clever at latching onto themes, where customers see the advantage of letting somebody else drive. The Christmas Markets, for instance, would see motorists facing terrific hassles.”

With an average price for a coach holiday around £350, a lot of people can afford to take a break.

“Customers know that when they book, they cover the cost of transport, excursions, main meals, accommodation, an entertainment programme in some hotels and sometimes even a specified period when drinks are served free of charge,” says Caroline Brown, Shearings Holidays product director.

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Keen prices have enabled firms to sell steadily throughout the summer, too. According to the Coach Tourism Council, more than seven million people will take a short break or holiday by coach this year.

Local operator Crusader (01255 425 453; www.crusader-holidays.co.uk) has a range of discounts for September and October, including seven nights in Oban, Iona and the Isle of Mull slashed from £609 to £485, while seven nights in the Pyrenees and Andorra, departing October 2, is £364.

John Flin, from www.coachholidays.com, says: “Hot spots for coach tours this summer have been the south and south west of England.”

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