Thomson Launches Couples

LUTON, England, June 14, 2011 -

Thomson Holidays has officially launched Thomson Couples, an
all-new adults-only holiday experience aimed at couples who want to
spend time abroad in a child-free environment. With the first
Couples customers flying out in June, Thomson is the first
mainstream travel company to offer 100% child-free holiday resorts
worldwide.

News of the launch of the href="www.thomson.co.uk/adult-holidays.html">adult-only
holidays will be welcomed by more than three quarters (79%) of
all those questioned for a Thomson Holidays survey who admitted
their holidays were affected by other people’s children, while 31%
said that unruly youngsters have actually ruined a well-earned
break.

What’s more, one in three UK adults (35%) said they agreed
unequivocally with the statement “Hell is other people’s children
on holiday.”

For more than half those questioned (55%) the main complaint
about children is their behaviour in the hotel restaurant, while
nearly half (48%) find the “general noise and whining” made by kids
on holiday irritating. Another major gripe was noise from children
in the room next door (45%), while for a third (32%) over-tired
youngsters can also spoil an evening’s entertainment.

The hotel swimming pool is a flashpoint too, where 41% are
irritated by the noise from excited children. Being splashed while
sunbathing around the pool was annoying for nearly a third (30%),
while 21% said they dislike being splashed by children while
they’re swimming in the pool.

Interestingly, the problems are not solely confined to other
people’s children. Some 40% of parents say their own kids affect
the enjoyment of their holiday, while 4% of these say they can even
ruin it completely.

The research went on to show that many people would like to see
adult-only areas in hotels. More than half (55%) believe the bar
should be a no-go area for kids, while 42% would like part of the
swimming pool cordoned off for adults to swim quietly.

The subject of adults-only holidays is explored in greater
detail in a ‘White Paper’ commissioned by Thomson Holidays. The
paper includes interviews with people taking both Thomson
child-free and child-friendly holidays in Cyprus during last
October’s half-term holiday.

Luke Gaskins, Head of Product Development at Thomson Holidays,
explained that Thomson href="www.thomson.co.uk/editorial/couples/thomson-couples.html">
Couples holidays is part of the company’s commitment to
designing holidays around the differing needs of its customers, and
would complement its hugely popular Thomson Families resorts.

“Family holidays are incredibly important to Thomson and an
extremely valuable opportunity for families to spend quality time
together, enabling children to experience new places, foods and
cultures - and have fun,” said Luke.

“At the same time, many parents also tell us how much they
cherish a few days to themselves once in a while in addition to
their family holiday, to recharge their batteries. Just as our
Family resorts are focused on keeping children entertained, Couples
is completely geared to adult relaxation and together time. At a
Couples hotel, peace and quiet both come as standard.”

All hotels in the Thomson Couples range are part of
Thomson’s Premier Collection, which include the company’s very
best 4T and 5T hotels. Couples customers will also enjoy
complimentary benefits including increased luggage allowance,
priority transfers, day-before check-in and dedicated holiday
advisors when overseas.

About TUI:

TUI UK Ltd is part of the TUI Travel PLC Group of companies -
the UK’s leading leisure travel company. First Choice specialises
in href="www.thomson.co.uk/editorial/features/sunshine-holidays.html">
sun holidays, beach holidays and charter flights to a vast
array of destinations including href="www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/caribbean/cuba/holidays-cuba.html">
Cuba holidays and href="www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/the-americas/united-states-of-america/florida/holidays-florida.html">
Florida holidays.

Customers expect the travel companies they deal with to have the
highest standards of business practice and accountability. First
Choice is registered with the Association of British Travel Agent
(ABTA), fully bonded by the Civil Aviation Authority under Air
Travel Organisers’ Licence (ATOL) and part of the Federation of
Tour Operators.

PR contact:
Grace Jones
TUI UK Ltd,
Wigmore House
Wigmore Lane
Luton
LU2 9TN
+44(0)1582-648725
www.thomson.co.uk

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