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Travel Republic Press Release - 5th December 2007 - For Immediate Release

Savvy Sunshine Hunters Travel at Christmas

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Savvy travellers are securing long holidays in the sun this Christmas by using just three days’ annual leave for a fortnight off, according to leading online travel agent TravelRepublic.co.uk

As the cold, dark December days herald the true start of the festive season, Brits are choosing to leave the office, the rain and the wind behind them and hit the beach. Thanks to the way that Christmas and New Year fall travellers can get away from it all for a fortnight by using just a few days’ annual leave.

Top destinations for sun-starved Brits who are still reeling from the washout summer include Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Benidorm, Sharm el Sheikh, Fuerteventura, the Algarve and the Costa del Sol.

TravelRepublic.co.uk managing director Paul Furner said: "We have seen demand for two-week holidays over Christmas and the New Year soar by 238% compared to this time last year. I think this is largely because we were promised a long hot summer which didn’t happen meaning that people postponed their sunshine holidays until the winter."

"All you hear about at the moment is the rise and rise of the short break, largely in cities. But people need more than a few days of pounding the pavements sightseeing and shopping to recharge their batteries."

"Many companies now close between Christmas and New Year, meaning you can get away for a whole fortnight using just three days’ leave. Even if your company does open between Christmas and New Year you can take just six days’ leave for a two-week break."

Despite what appears to be a looming mass exodus from the UK over Christmas, there are still great deals to be had, with prices for a two-week break in Torremolinos starting from £267 per person though TravelRepublic.co.uk

Furner added: "With great deals, better weather and the promise of escaping the office, what’s stopping you hitting the beach this Christmas? I just feel sorry for all those offices left running on skeleton staff over the Christmas season as workers ditch their desks and escape to the sun."

Sample Christmas and New Year deals from TravelRepublic.co.uk:

Tenerife £441: Prices from £441 for two weeks at the three-star Monica Sur Hotel in San Isidro, Tenerife on a room-only basis, including return flights from Liverpool departing December 18.

Lanzarote £337: Prices from £337 for two weeks’ self-catering at the two-star Las Lilas Apartments in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, including return flights from London Stansted departing December 18.

Gran Canaria £425: Prices from £425 for two weeks’ bed and breakfast at the three-star Parque Hotel in las Palmas, Gran Canaria, including return flights from Newcastle departing December 22.

Benidorm £299: Prices from £299 for a two-week holiday at the four-star Magic Tropicana Suites Hotel, Benidorm on a room-only basis, including return flights from Blackpool departing December 18.

Torremolinos £267: Prices from £267 for a two-week holiday at the four-star Eh El Pinar Hotel in Torremolinos, Costa del Sol, on a room-only basis, including flights from Newcastle departing December 18.

All prices based on two adults sharing. All offers are subject to availability and prices are current at time of going to press. Prices do not include transfers.

Notes to editors:

For more information, interviews and photographs contact Louise Prior at Prior PR on 07786 227572 or email: louise@priorpr.com

About TravelRepublic.co.uk:

• In December 2007 TravelRepublic.co.uk topped The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 list just four years after the company was launched – making it the UK’s fastest growing privately owned company.
• The Kingston-upon-Thames based business was set up in 2003 and is the brainchild of three university friends - Paul Furner, managing director, Chris Waite, IT director and Kane Pirie, finance and operations director.
• Since its launch in 2003, TravelRepublic.co.uk's sales have increased from £2.8 million to £108 million, with the business on track for turnover of more than £200 million in the current financial year. The company now employs more than 150 staff.
• TravelRepublic.co.uk caters for a broad range of customers including families, couples and groups – mainly taking a hard earned break in the sun. The TravelRepublic.co.uk website offers charter, low-cost and scheduled airlines, powerful rate shopping technology for hotel rooms and apartments, plus hotel reviews and resort guides written by its customers.
• Customers can save up to 50% on the price of a comparable package holiday purchased online or on the high street.
• TravelRepublic.co.uk works with over 100 different flight operators and offers flights to more than 200 destinations in Europe, the Caribbean, Florida and Canada, plus numerous ski resorts and exotic destinations. The website also offers over 30,000 discounted hotels, apartments and villas plus a wide range of other services such as taxi transfers, airport parking and car hire. The website gives customers complete flexibility with flights, hotels and durations.
• TravelRepublic.co.uk was one of the first UK travel agents to offer carbon balanced flights and in addition makes significant charitable donations every month to the World Land Trust to protect Amazon rainforests and the important wildlife they support.

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