As increasing numbers of Irish people are travelling to Britain for short breaks and holidays, Stena Line is reporting a rise in the numbers of people booking short breaks by sea.

In spite of the poor weather throughout summer 2007, around 5,000 people took a break in Britain with Stena Line Holidays, an increase of 3% on those travelling in 2006 and with the current strength of the Euro, this figure is expected to grow further in 2008.  

Not only are more holidaymakers taking a break close to home, according to Stena Line, the average stay of its customers has been extended from the traditional two night break to four nights, with an increase in holidaymakers booking longer stays in Wales and the heart of England which once again feature in the company’s 2008 short breaks programme.

Those booking range from families with children travelling to theme parks such as Oakwood or Alton Towers, couples and groups taking romantic breaks or shopping trips in cities such as Manchester and Liverpool.

Stena Line’s new Short Breaks to Britain brochure features a wide range of hotels throughout Scotland, England and Wales, from great value 2 star hotels to luxurious 5 star properties.  It also features a lead in fare of two nights for two people for €360 and is laid out with a regional structure to make it easy for customers to navigate their way to the perfect getaway.

It includes three nights for the price of two offers as well as Stena Line’s popular ‘kids go free offer’ which allows children under the age of 14 to travel by car and stay for free when sharing a room with two adults.

Eamonn Hewitt, Stena Line communications manager believes customers will be spoilt for choice when selecting a break from the new brochure.

“We have so many different types of holiday on offer in this brochure,” said Eamonn.  “From city breaks in Chester, Liverpool and Manchester to seaside breaks in Blackpool and from hair-raising theme park breaks at Oakwood and Alton Towers to relaxing getaways taking in the stunning Welsh countryside, Lake District and Scottish heartlands.  At Stena Line we feel that we really do have something to offer all tastes and types of holidaymaker.

“Our free child places have been extremely popular in recent years and can ease the burden for families who want a great holiday with great value.  Returning customers will be pleased to see that we have included this offer on a wide range of hotel breaks throughout our brochure,” he added.

A new addition to Stena Line programme this year is the Bluestone resort set in two woodland vales in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

“We are privileged to be able to offer our customers the opportunity to travel to Bluestone, a stunning new self-catering resort with lodge accommodation, spa and golf facilities, bars and restaurants, sports club and bike hire plus a whole range of activities to keep adults and children amused,” Eamonn said.  “Bluestone will be opening for the first time in July of this year so those booking to travel with us will be among the first to try out this fantastic facility.  It is easily accessible from the port in Fishguard with less than a 40 minute drive so we expect it to be a very popular destination with customers travelling on our southern corridor route.

“All in all, booking with Stena Line really takes the stress out of travelling as holidaymakers can relax onboard and enjoy the comfort and convenience of taking their own car to sit back and enjoy their onward journey.  With the many frustrations and increased expense that those travelling by air face at the moment, many of our customers are telling us that they really appreciate this kind of stress-free travel,” he concluded.

For further information on the holidays available in the Stena Line Short Breaks brochure, call Stena Line on 01 204 77 33, click on www.stenaline.ie/hotelsor visit your local travel agent.        

Stena Line is the market leader on the Irish Sea, offering the biggest fleet and the widest choice of routes from Ireland to Britain, including the Belfast to Stranraer, Larne to Fleetwood, Dun Laoghaire and Dublin Port to Holyhead, and Rosslare to Fishguard routes.  The company carries over three million passengers on its Irish Sea routes each year, more than its rival ferry operators combined. 

MEDIA ENQUIRIES
For further information, please contact Eamonn Hewitt of Stena Line on 01 2047617 OR Sheelagh Wright of Duffy Rafferty Communications on 048 9073 0880.