Top bargain winter packages

February can be one of the best months to hit the slopes and enjoy the last days of snow. Travel agencies are offering bargain value winter trips 10% - 40% below mid-winter fares. Lodging prices can be as low as €15 for the ski resorts in Bulgaria or €180 for a one-week stay in Austria.

15-29% increase in tourist influx

Notwithstanding the poor economic conditions, the influx of tourists to ski resorts has increased in 2009-2010 winter season from a year earlier.

“15-20% more tourists flocked to mountainous areas for skiing compared to a year earlier”, Simona Veteleanu, managing director TravelBiz told Wall-Street.

Cristina Irimia (photo), marketing director of J’Info Tours said the demand for late winter deals and the number of tourists has increased by 5% and 7% respectively from the same period of 2009.

As for prices, agencies took different approach. J’Info Tours and Aerotravel left travel packages prices unchanged, while BizTravel is offering 10 to 15% discount on their winter rates from last year.

“Hotels are offering discounted room rates, transport companies cut their fares, while the agency’s fee is now lower”, said the managing director of Travel Biz.

Sold packages

When Romanian tourists choose to have a ski holiday abroad, tourism officials say the most popular destinations are Austria, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Italy or France.

Only 30% of Romanian tourists chose to hit the slopes in Romania. “For weekend trips, tourists prefer the slopes in Romania, but the ski fanatics rummage in their pockets to get up on the mountains in Austria, Italy or France”.

70% of TravelBiz clients opt for international destinations for skiing vacations, the main reasons being the slopes – skiing installations, length of the slope, snowmass and bargain prices of course, according to Simona Veteleanu (photo).

Travel agencies already sold a part of the winter packages available for February-March 2010. “J’Info Tours sold 57% of the ski-and-stay packages for this period”, said Cristina Irimia.

TravelBiz sold 70-80% of the packages available for February – March, 15-20% more than last year.

Ski resorts are even more attractive now that travel agencies are offering lower prices, with 10-40% off Christmas winter rates, depending on the destination, said Cristina Irimia.

Bulgaria

TravelBiz is offering five-night package to Bulgaria from €130 to €195. The package includes free passes to the pool, sauna, fitness, and free gondola.

Aerotravel Lufthansa also has ski vacation packages to Bansko, Borovetz and Pamporovo (Bulgaria) for only €15/person/night.

1. Hotel Belmont 4*

Availability of the offer: 01.02 – 31.03.10
€15/person in four-person apartment – it includes only lodging

2. Hotel Landauerhof 4*

€66/person in a double room, breakfast

Austria

Austria remains the most popular ski destination for ski lovers, even if in Romania, tourist influx to domestic ski resorts fell 2% in 2009-2010 season from the same period of last year, to as few as 164,000 persons, according to Austrian tourism officials.

The travel package advertised by J’Info Tours that stands out as the most affordable winter special to Austria is to two-star Muller inn. A seven-night stay and breakfast costs €315/person.

For the most popular ski vacation spot, Aerotravel Lufthansa proposes two options:

1. In Tyrol, winter rates for a double bedroom start from €180/week

2. In Schladming, at Landauerhof Hotel 4*, winter rates start from €66/person in a double room with breakfast.

For the same destination, Travel Biz brings a ski destination special: book a three-night package and the fourth night is free. The offer includes lodging at 2* hotel and breakfast, skipass and 2 tickets at wellness Europeum (pool and sauna).

Slovakia

Slovakia is also one of the most affordable ski destinations, in February. TravelBiz advertises a five-night package to Slovakia at 3* hotel for €145 /person. For six-night hotel and seventh for free package, the price ranges between €156 and €192/person.

J’Info tours proposes seven-night stay at Apartments Jasna 3*for only €277.

Cheapest winter packages of Aerotravel Lufthansa to Slovakia:

1. Hotel Ski 2* - Jasna
Availability of the offer: 06.02 – 27.03
€26/person in a double room/breakfast

2. Hotel Patria 4* - Strbske Pleso
Availability of the offer: 27.02-27.03
€35/person in double room/breakfast

3. Hotel Bansko SPA and Holidays 4 *
Availability of the offer: 01.02 - 14.03.10
€30 / person in double room

Italy

For a winter vacation in Italy, J’Info Tours has promotional rates starting at €346 for seven-night stay at Hotel Betulla 3* and breakfast.

TravelBiz’s has a winter offer with nightly rates from €75/person at the three-star Margherita hotel.

For the famous Cortina D’Ampezzo region, nightly rate start from €125/person in double room at the four star hotel Concordia, package available at TravelBiz agency.