Good news for those considering a holiday in Majorca at the moment - leading tour operators Thomas Cook and Thomson have some great deals available - visit yourmajorca.net to access both of them plus First Choice.

As the Daily Express report:

HOLIDAY firms are set to slash the price of package deals by hundreds of pounds after a slump in bookings over the summer, experts said yesterday.

A focus on the World Cup and fears over travel disruption have left tour operators with leftover stock.

Discounts on brochure prices are expected to reach up to 70 per cent.

Even families hoping for a break before school starts in September could save as much as 50 per cent on a week in a European destination such as Tenerife.

TUI Travel, owner of Thomson Holidays and First Choice, yesterday revealed a two per cent drop in UK sales over the past three months, normally its busiest time of year.

And it announced the volcanic ash cloud disruption had hit its last-quarter profit by £105million.

Chief executive Peter Long added: “It remains difficult to predict how the later-booking pattern will change over the next 12 to 18 months in the light of the current economic environment.”

A spokeswoman for TUI confirmed there would be “great value deals” during autumn. Among its best was a week on the Greek island of Rhodes in October, starting at £189 per person.

Thomas Cook was also expected to record a drop in sales today.

Long-haul holiday firm Hayes and Jarvis said the downturn in summer sales would mean a “glut” of heavily discounted deals, bringing down the cost of travelling to exotic countries in the Far East to under £500.

Good news for those thinking of having a Majorca holiday this year - prices are lower than last year according to Euro weekly News, who say:

SPENDING the night in a Palma de Mallorca hotel is 12 per cent cheaper than at the same time last year, Trivago reports. Despite the drop, in February 2010 the average price for a hotel room in Palma stands at 107 euros a night, remaining the most expensive in Spain, beating Madrid 99 euros (third most expensive) and Barcelona hotels at 102 euros (second most expensive).

More notably was the 18 per cent drop in prices recorded in the northern Spain city of San Sebastian, where a hotel room will set you back 93 euros on average.

By comparison, in the lower end of the spectrum, the cheapest in Spain are Leon and Logroño (62 euros), Santiago (66 euros) and Murcia (67 euros).

Nevertheless, the average price for a room in Spain increased by four per cent, now at 84 euros a night on average. When compared to other European countries, Spain remains among the cheapest along with Portugal (76) euros and eastern European destinations like Hungary (67 euros) and Poland (64 euros).

The most expensive hotel stay in Europe is Switzerland, with an average room price of 163 euros. For more European news click through to Euro weekly News here

For Majorca hotels visit http://www.yourmajorca.net

British holiday companies have been preparing for poor summer sales figures for traditionally popular holidays in Majorca and other areas of Spain, but an awful summer for the weather in the UK has led to a pick up in holiday bookings, rescuing what could have been the worst year for a long time for overseas travel.

The wash-out in Britain has been so sustained that those tourists who hadn’t booked by the time the summer holidays arrived often changed their original plans for a UK holiday to one abroad - and Majorca has benefitted from a late surge in holiday bookings from British families anxious to get some sun before facing the winter back home.

Compounding the dilemma many families have faced over whether to holiday at home in the UK or to take one in Majorca has been that so many weather forecasts have been wrong - even weather forecasts for 24 hours or less away.

Meanwhile the weather in Majorca has been consistently good, and while the British weather forecast has been unreliable, it’s a little easier for Majorca as the summer has been exactly what people expect with sunshine and good temperatures - and a look at a Majorca weather forecast has been enough for many to leave the rain behind for a holiday in Majorca.

But despite the late surge from tourists opting for an overseas holiday instead of one at home, most estimates within the travel industry suggest a near 20 per cent fall in the number of Britons taking a holiday in Spain this summer, due to the fragile state of the British economy and worries over job losses.

It could be a while before the number of holidaymakers visiting Majorca returns to levels seen in the last few years as one leading tour operator has just reported that their winter bookings are down 17 per cent on last year - and in recent years there have been more people taking holidays in Majorca in the winter months - often for three day visits - as cheap flights to Majorca make it more affordable.

But with the British taking holidays at home this year and being disappointed with the weather, there is a good chance that the number of people taking 2010 Majorca holidays will improve as people return to their old haunts - especially if the economy picks up.

Happily for the island the number of German people taking their holidays in Majorca this year hasn’t fallen nearly as much as the British market - and with the German economy officially coming out of recession recently it will help the holidays in Majorca industry should the British market fail to improve in 2010.

How many people do visit the island in 2010 doesn’t just depend upon the economy overall and how secure they feel in their jobs, but the strength of Sterling against the Euro is also an important factor. A couple of years ago a thousand pounds spending money would buy nearly fifteen hundred Euros, but currently British tourists would be lucky to get close to twelve hundred Euros given the state of the British currency.

In recent years there has been a trend away from staying in a hotel to villas, but recently this trend has reversed back in favour to the hotels in Majorca among British tourists, as all inclusive packages cut down costs and less spending money is needed. Not such good news of course for the independent bars and restaurants which many holidaymakers would frequent during better times, but something the hotels in Majorca are quite happy to see.

The future for tourism in Majorca is good - the island has a successful and active tourism board that actively promotes the virtues of the island as a holiday destination in a co-ordinated way compared to some other areas, and moves with the times by for example creating cycle tracks for the more eco-friendly holidaymaker as well as having the traditional reasons for a holiday - great beaches, hotels and a friendly people.

More Majorca information is available at yourmajorca.net - including the latest news

England, Scotland and Wales are key markets for European holiday resorts in countries like Spain, Greece, Cyprus and Portugal, but new figures have shown that flights are down 11 per cent this year so far and things could get worse for the travel industry if the recession bites deeper.

And with a declining market, the only way for Britain’s big travel companies to stop their own holiday sales dropping is to take a bigger share of what market their is - and Thomson Holidays have been doing just that according to leading independent travel analysts.

The three dominant companies in the British market for overseas holidays are Thomson, Thomas Cook, and Expedia, with Expedia having led the pack in recent years. But now Thomson have overtaken Expedia as Britain’s favourite travel site, and with hundreds of travel agents selling their products up and down the country they are one of the few companies who have been successful in both the traditional retail and modern technology sectors in reaching the buying public.

Playa de Muro in Majorca, one of several beautiful beaches awaiting holidaymakers this summer.

Attracting holidaymakers to Thomson Holidays internet site has been videos of destinations, allowing people who haven’t visited a place they are considering to get some idea of what to expect, and giving them the confidence to make a holidays booking. Add to that that they have been offering accommodation only - expedia’s strength - and perhaps it’s no surprise that they have become Britain’s top travel site.

Typical of the areas that Thomson cover and is popular with holidaymakers is Majorca. Usually when people think of holidays in Majorca, they think about beautiful white sand beaches, crystal blue waters and a tropical drink in one hand. While the ideal ‘perfect holiday’ is great for those who daydream about it, families with children often look for theme parks and excitement. Majorca doesn’t disappoint families with children either, and perhaps explains why Majorca is the number one holiday island for British tourists.

However, there is far more to Majorca than the sea, the sand and the sun. Atmosphere is conducive to everything else in life, surroundings, weather, healthy diet and lifestyle and especially state of mind. Tourists and home buyers alike are attracted to Mallorca’s unique subtropical climate offering peace of mind year around.

Soft breezes rolling in from the Mediterranean sea adds to the simple charms and personalities of wonderful lifestyle. Healthy diets of fresh vegetables, fruit, fishes and olive oil constitute a better quality of life. European chefs and sommeliers present culinary delights, cooking savoury meals with natural juices and fresh herbs. Discover Gothic architecture treasures, beautiful almond and olive groves, small sun bleached hilltop villages and white beaches galore. Take a stroll along the quiet city and find yourself surrounded by chic shops full of treasures. Hike along ancient mountain paths.

 Majorca has been a major summer holiday destination for several years. Many people don’t realize the magnificent deals to be taken advantage of during the winter months as well. Winter visitors can stay at the same beautiful, award winning hotels and resorts for a fraction of the price. Winter time is also the season when you can enjoy newly ripened citrus fruit from the local groves. Wintertime holiday packages can be booked for as little as 325 euros. Many people prefer the slower paced winter holidays to the hustle and bustle of the busy summer holiday season. Temperatures in the winter season range from 6 degrees Celsius (42 degrees Fahrenheit) to 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit). These mild temperatures help make Majorca the perfect wintertime destination for those who enjoy cooler temperatures and mild winter weather.

 In recent months, three hotels in Majorca have received Excellence and Leisure Nominations and Awards, further proving that Majorca is the perfect holiday destination year round. Winter holidays in Majorca are more peaceful and relaxing than their summertime counterparts and available via holiday companies like Thomson Holidays With winter temperatures often 15 degrees Celsius (nearly 60 degrees Fahrenheit), even wintertime walks on Majorca’s white sand beaches can be amazing.

The Hotel Aimia in Puerto Soller on the northwest coast of Majorca received a nomination as one of four contenders in the Most Excellent European Value for Money Award. Many of the Aimia Hotel rooms face the Puerto de Soller and offer breathtaking views of Majorca’s white sand beaches. Nearby Port De Soller is the only commercial seaport in the Serra De Tramuntana. Porto Petro Beach Resort Hotel, opened in 2005, is neatly tucked into two beautiful, sandy coves along a half mile stretch of Mediterranean coastline in Porto Petro. This 300 room waterfront resort was nominated for the Most Excellent European Value for Money Award two years ago. Travel companies across Europe will want to ensure they have a good choice of holidays in Majorca this summer.