Thomson and First Choice have recently announced the introduction of Vietnam to their winter 2017 programme.
Further, the holiday company Thomson said that the Caribbean islands of St Lucia and Cayo Santa Maria in Cuba – destinations that were introduced to its summer 2017 programme earlier – will also be extended into the winter season. The move comes as the company seeks to build on the 350 percent increase in long haul holidays over the past 10 years.
The island of Phu Quoc is the latest long-haul destination to be added to Thomson and First Choice’s offering. Located off the coast of Vietnam with white-sandy beaches, Phu Quoc is popular for relaxing, and features dense tropical jungle and reefs. With a choice of tour and stay options, Phu Quoc is an option for travellers looking to stay and explore spots like Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as a trip along the Mekong River to Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
The first direct flights to Phu Quoc International Airport from the UK will operate on Thomson Airways’ 787 Dreamliners and will depart from London Gatwick every Wednesday, taking 12 hours to reach the destination.
In addition, as a reported first ever for the UK travel industry, Thomson is introducing multi-centre holidays via its website, enabling customers to plan and book their multi-trip holiday online without having to wait for a confirmation of the itinerary. Costa Rica, Cuba, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Goa are the first destinations available for booking on a dedicated tab on Thomson’s website, which is expected to go live mid-late November.
Mark Hall, Director of Product for Thomson and First Choice, said, ‘Our focus for winter 2017 remains on the growth of our long-haul programme using our fantastic 787 Dreamliner and Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island is a fantastic addition. We are also thrilled to announce the extension of St Lucia and Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba into our winter programme, along with an array of new city breaks and long haul destinations. Our multi-centre holiday offering is an exciting venture and another important part of our continued commitment to offering customers more choice and flexibility seizing the opportunity to deliver what customers are demanding.’
The programme for winter 2017 will be on sale from mid-late November, Thomson said.