Major Short Breaks Survey Reveals New Trends

Online, August 18, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Belfast East, Northern Ireland (12 August 2010) - ActivityBreaks, the largest online activity holiday and short break specialists, carried out a survey of 2,000 people to discover the secrets to a perfect European short break. As European leaders in the Activity Holidays market, the company believes this will strengthen even further its position in this growing market segment.

Some of the main findings include:
" Accommodation to be within a maximum of 90 minutes of a low-cost airport (Paris Beauvais and some other secondary airports being considered outside this limit)
" Flexible arrival and departure dates especially for Ski breaks are now a must (no fixed-day arrivals)
" Preference for authentic locally-owned hotels and accommodation, and not chain brands
" Accommodation to be near activities or attraction with easy access
" Added value packages with transfers and activities included, and Child-friendly facilities were also highlighted.

"Using our long experience and the results of this survey, the idea is to create unique value-for-money packages that bring together all these aspects" comments Managing Director Alex Reed. "This has meant searching the continent for the right ingredients and, in some cases, opening up new channels in emerging countries such as Poland."

The other key factor in the survey was price issues which, surprisingly, focused not on low price but on offering the best price for that particular package - for that package to offer true value for money. Indeed the growth of the more expensive ski and spa packages has been proof of this concept with some basic low cost ski packages being easily outsold by the more expensive packages.

The market for Weekend breaks and short breaks of less than four nights grew a surprising 6.4% in the first semester of 2010 and looks set to be of growing importance.

To learn more about ActivityBreaks and their new special offers, visit their website today at www.activitybreaks.com or for further assistance telephone 028 9094 1671 (UK) or 0044 289094 1671 (International) during standard office hours.