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.

Majorca’s leading and successful tourism related companies are expanding internationally, according to the President of Majorca’s Chamber of Commerce, Joan Gual de Torrella. During 2008 the chamber discussed expanding business to Vietnam.

About 200 tourism-related companies currently operating in Majorca are ready to expand internationally. Some businesses include hotel equipment, furniture design, interior decoration, software creation and other tourism-related specialties.

Holidays in Majorca have been Europe’s favourite for some years now, and the island’s tourism experience is something that could be exported worldwide.

Vietnam as a Tourist Destination

The country itself is shaped like an elongated letter “S” and is located on the easternmost coast of the Indochina Peninsula, directly south of China. It is larger than Italy at about 128,066 square miles. The size and unusual shape of the country open many possibilities for tourism to Vietnam. Overall, the country is very mountainous, containing no more than 20 percent level land and 40 percent mountainous. It is divided into 58 provinces and five centrally controlled municipalities.

Hoildays To Vietnam Are Becoming More Popular

The climate in Vietnam varies greatly from area to area. In northern Vietnam from November to April, monsoon winds blow northeast across the Gulf of Tonkin and pick up considerable amounts of moisture. The average temperature in December and January is 41 degrees Fahrenheit, while the temperature in July and August may reach nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature in southern Vietnam doesn’t vary quite as dramatically as the northern or more mountainous zones. A more steady year round temperature of 70 to about 83 degrees Fahrenheit make the southern portion of the country the perfect location for year round tourism. The weather in southern Vietnam is similar to the weather in Majorca some feel.

The Economy in Vietnam

Historically the economy in Vietnam was based on agriculture and wet rice cultivation. Most of the economy was destroyed during the Vietnam War. “Renovation,” the economic reform package introduced by the Sixth Party Congress, achieved about 8 percent GDP growth annually from 1990 to 1997. It became the second fastest growing economy between 2000 and 2005 at around 7 percent per year.

Vietnam’s economic situation has continued to improve over the years, but with an annual GDP of 280.2 billion USD, it is still considered a relatively poor country. The tourism industry in Vietnam is growing at an impressive rate. The introduction of more, already successful, tourism-related companies to the area will only help improve the current economic situation. Many new jobs will be created as new industry is introduced and employees are needed to maintain the standards of service available in other countries.

Tourism in Vietnam is a growing industry with a lot of potential and perhaps can learn from the holidays in Majorca industry.

Vietnam Veterans from around the world have made a point to visit modern day Vietnam. Tours are available for Veterans and their families to help them heal and recover from trauma caused by the Vietnam War. As Vietnam continues to progress and build more tourism-related resorts, tourists will have the opportunity to visit areas that were once war-ravaged. As with all wars, the world has much to learn about post-war rebuilding and the hardships involved. Vietnam has made excellent progress during the years following the war and will continue to prosper in the years ahead the country hopes.