So you want to go on a holiday? Who doesn’t, right? Choosing the right style of getaway for you might just make the world of difference to your travel planning and bank balance. The lastminute lovelies layout the options.
by Kirsty Harrison www.lastminute.com.au
The days of having to walk into a travel agency to book your holidays are looooong gone.
Aussie travellers are a super savvy bunch and are increasingly ditching the travel planner and taking their travel needs into their own hands. But is the do-it-yourself approach best, or are packaged deals the way to go?
DIY
It’s never been easier to organise and manage your own travel plans – and all from the comfort of your own lounge room. What could be more convenient than sitting on the couch in your fave PJ’s and booking hotels and flights from your laptop/tablet or even your mobile.
According to a survey of over 6000 female Aussie travellers, 66% favour this do-it-yourself approach.
Why is it so popular?
- You’re in the box seat: you control everything from where you stay, to the date you leave.
- It can prove to be the best value for money.
- Flexibility: what you see is what you get, and playing around with travel dates, room types, etc, is straightforward.
- Unbiased: you do the research and decide where you want go without being swayed into booking based on where the ‘kick-backs’ come from.
lastminute.com.au top tips for DIY travel
Sign up – Make sure you’re receiving travel e-newsletters. These often contain exclusive deals. It pays to be first in the know.
Get involved in the conversation online – There is a plethora of travel insights and hot deals on the Twitter and Facebook pages of travel companies (not to mention competitions, who doesn’t want to win a holiday?)
Do your research – It pays to read up on travel blogs for extra inspiration and tips. Spying on your mate’s holiday pics on Facebook is also a very valid sourse of information. If you like the look of a destination they’ve been to, you can ask for their tips and do your own research.
Packaged holidays
With packages, everything is taken care of for you so you can kick back and relax before your bag is even packed. While many include flights, land-only packages are available too so keep these in mind if you’ve bagged yourself a bargain airfare and want the rest taken care of.
Why are these deals favoured by one-in-three women?
- They consider them better value for money.
- The convenience factor.
- They trust the experts to source the best deals for them.
lastminute.com.au top tips for package holiday bliss
Keep your eyes out for deals with extra inclusions – Packages often include a great range of bonuses such as meals, welcome drinks, massages, activities like snorkelling, and even extra night (stay eight only pay for four sounds pretty good right?)
Solo travel – If you’re a single and sassy traveller, normal hotel bookings (based on twin share) can be an exxy way to travel. Package deals created especially for those holidaying on their own can be a very cost effective option.
Not just for OS destinations – You might automatically picture packages to Fiji and Bali (and they’re certainly available) but holiday packages for Holidays in Australia are also up for grabs. Tickets to a show with a hotel stay are super popular and a great excuse for a mini-break (even in your own city!)
You can still do it at home – Put your car keys away. Plenty of organisations now have travel experts at the ready on the end of the phone who can help you with your package bookings. lastminute.com.au’s holiday experts can be contacted during normal working hours on 1300 130 486. Easy.
The verdict?
At the end of the day, both are great options – it all depends on the time you have to do your own research and planning, the destination you’re heading to and the type of holiday experience you’re after. Travellers today have so many options available to them, pick what works for you and get out there to live every lastminute.
To read more from the lastminute lovelies, check out their blog
