Byline: SEAN POULTER
A WEEK in the sun is available for as little as [pounds sterling]73 as desperate travel firms try to sell 5million unsold package holidays.
Those willing to book a lastminute deal can take advantage of astonishing bargains on the Internet.
Summer package holiday bookings are down by around 10 per cent on last year, forcing the big four travel firms to slash prices to destinations such as Spain, the Algarve and Greece - in some cases to their lowest level since the 1970s.
The reductions come as package holiday companies such as Thomas Cook, Thomson, MyTravel and First Choice fight back against the impact of budget airlines, which have encouraged families to create their own trips.
Many tour operators are effectively dumping cheap holidays with lastminute holiday company specialists which mainly operate through the web.
The result is that it is possible to make huge savings, for example by buying a two-week Mediterranean package holiday, which will be much cheaper than a similar break in Britain.
The holiday search website Teletext Holidays was yesterday offering a sevennight self- catering holiday for two adults in Chania, Crete, with immediate departure for [pounds sterling]73 each.
There was a week in Dalaman, Turkey, for [pounds sterling]91, and several deals for [pounds sterling]99 at popular resorts in Majorca and Heraklion.
While these are most likely to suit footloose young adults, there are also bargains on family breaks, even at the height of the school holidays.
The site advertised seven nights for a family of four in a four-star hotel on the Algarve on a bed and breakfast basis at a total of [pounds sterling]1,196 - down by 30 per cent.
A survey by Morgan Stanley suggests the average cost of a two-week holiday in Spain, leaving on July 30, is [pounds sterling]2,556, and [pounds sterling]1,787 in Turkey.
Both are cheaper than a twoweek break in the Lake District, which is priced at [pounds sterling]2,755.
Thomas Cook is running a marketing campaign based on the suggestion that some holidays are now cheaper than up to 30 years ago. For example, a self- catering deal to Palma Nova, Majorca, which was [pounds sterling]119 in 1979, can now be bought for a last minute price of [pounds sterling]99.
A Thomas Cook spokesman said: 'I can't remember it as tough as this in all the years that we've been through. The market is 10 per cent down and won't come back to level between now and the end of the season.' TUI UK, the German company which owns Thomson and Lunn Poly, said total package holiday bookings across all companies are down by 8-10 per cent on a year ago.
The Association of British Travel Agents said: 'There are a lot of very good offers out there.' A spokesman added: 'Numbers to Spain are down. Greece has suffered from initial huge prices offered in connection with the Olympics.
But prices have come down now.' Cheaper destinations such as Bulgaria, Croatia-and Turkey are doing well, while the strength of the pound against the dollar has also boosted sales to the U.S.
Retail analyst Mintel said families were opting out of the traditional sunshine package holiday in favour of creating their own trips, particularly in Britain.
It said that some 32 per cent of Britons are put off popular Mediterranean resorts by the loutish behaviour of their own fellow countrymen.
Mintel analyst Amanda Lintott said: 'Generally, families are less likely to go on holidays abroad, preferring to go on independent domestic holidays, a large proportion of which are visits to friends and family.'
s.poulter@dailymail.co.uk
THE BEST PACKAGE DEALS*
Last minute bargains Cut price family holidays Chania, Crete With 1st2call.com Was [pounds sterling]180pp NOW [pounds sterling]73pp
Majorca With LastCall Holidays Was [pounds sterling]200pp NOW [pounds sterling]99pp
Malta With First Choice Holiday Hypermarkets Was [pounds sterling]200pp NOW [pounds sterling]114pp
Algarve: Seven nights B&B in 4-star hotel for family of four, departing Luton on Aug 12 through Kwik Travel Was [pounds sterling]1,500 NOW [pounds sterling]956
Lanzarote: Family of four, departing on Jul 29 through Lets Go Canaries Was [pounds sterling]1,500 NOW [pounds sterling]988
Majorca: Family of four, departing Luton on Jul 29 with Fun in the Sun Was [pounds sterling]1,300 NOW [pounds sterling]996
Alcudia, Majorca: Family of four, departing Aug 15 through Journeys Direct Was [pounds sterling]1,500 NOW [pounds sterling]1,176
Marmaris, Turkey: Family of four with Travel 2 Anywhere, departing Aug 15 Was [pounds sterling]1,500 NOW [pounds sterling]1,140
* All holidays seven nights self-catering from Gatwick unless stated
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