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No fly holidays - Ross Elder, HolidayLettings.co.uk

No-fly holidays – give them a whirl

The last few weeks have been the worst on record for air travel in more than a decade. Perhaps unsurprisingly the combination of volatile volcanos, soaring flight costs, unpredictable strike action, looming parliamentary changes and the threat of terrorism has caused holidaymakers to rethink their travel choices and to either look into other flight-free travel options or to delay booking their holiday until greater calm has been restored.

At Holiday Lettings since the volcanic disturbance we have witnessed a distinct shift in holidaymaker booking choices with UK enquiries rising by 10 per cent and France by five per cent. Although not a huge change, it is enough to suggest that since the flight chaos of recent weeks holidaymakers have concerns about volcanic ash disrupting future flights, and are instead considering no-fly holiday options that perhaps they wouldn’t have before. While this may or may not be a temporary shift, it is refreshing to see holidaymakers trying new experiences and opting for different holiday choices.

As managing director of a holiday company I travel often and have spent many an hour sitting on a plane, delayed at the airport or recovering from turbulence. Accustomed and comfortable with flying, I undoubtedly see its benefits as the quickest and most effective way to travel. However, I think it is important to remember that there are other travel options available that are just as viable and possibly more pleasant. I recently returned from a weekend in Devon, although it was a three hour drive getting there, unlike other modes of transport I was in total control; email free and able to stop as desired and to drive with the roof down and the stereo blaring in glorious sunshine. Although the traffic was frustrating, all in all it was actually a relaxing and enjoyable experience, which set me thinking about no-fly holidays and holidays on your doorstep. The options are endless and there is always something to discover about your own country, whether you realised it before or not!



The other alternative of course is the ferry. Cost effective and efficient, most operators offer cabin space so that holidaymakers can forget the fact that they are in transit and get some rest during the journey. It’s an easy route into Northern Europe from the UK and the drive is a great way to explore a new country. Another selling point of flight-free travel and of UK breaks in general is that you can bring pets along without hassle or discomfort.

Do I think that we should all boycott flying in the future? Absolutely not. But do I think that holidaymakers need to be aware of all of the travel options available to them and that they should indulge in different holiday experiences now and then? Absolutely, yes.

Ross Elder

A buy-to-let investor and holiday home owner, Ross is passionate about doing holiday home letting effectively and efficiently with oodles of customer care. He is a keynote speaker on successfully marketing and managing holiday home lettings and instils much of his drive into the team at Holiday Lettings. Founded by Ross and his business partner Andy Firth in 1999, the company is now the busiest holiday home website in the UK

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