Beat the APD tax increase and experience a new type of family holiday

Nov. 8, 2010 - PRLog -- The 1st November saw the increase in APD (Air Passenger Duty) take effect on flight prices; rising to, in some cases 50% above the previous amount.  However, to combat this Pure Holiday Homes has found some solutions to get around the increasing prices of your holidays.

The increased APD is now, not just based on long and short haul flights but on four different categories; A, B, C and D, where D is the most expensive.  It means that people travelling on short haul flights to places such as France and Italy will be least affected.  But those travelling to medium and long haul flight destinations, including the Caribbean and the United Arab Emirates, will be hit the worst, causing people to pay £85 in duty, compared to last year’s cost of £55.

It has been said that the increase in APD will not only hit family holiday costs the most, by increasing flight costs by up to £440, it but will also affect the tourism revenue in some of the most tourist reliant countries, including the USA and Africa.  

Pure Holiday Homes offers you this advice, so that the tax increases won’t spoil your next family holiday:

Save by booking through a holiday rental website.

Book your family holiday through a holiday rental website, such as Pure Holiday Homes and you will instantly be able to save up to 30% compared to booking through a travel agent.  This is because you don’t pay any additional agent or booking fees, as you deal directly with the property owner and cut out the middle man.  

Save by staying in a self catering villa or apartment.

Pure Holiday Homes offers a huge directory of self catering holiday homes for every family holiday wish.  Not only are holiday villa rentals much cheaper than staying in a hotel, but they also allow you and your family to truly experience a country’s culture and atmosphere.  
For example, Thomas Cook offers 7 nights in a three star, self catering hotel apartment in Majorca, for around £140 per person.  However, you can stay in a stunning apartment with private pool in the same area for only £82 per person, from Pure Holiday Homes, which equates to 41% cheaper.  Additionally, a hotel in Tuscany for a family of four can cost as much as £4,600 for a week, whereas a five star four bedroom villa with private pool is available on Pure Holiday Homes for just £2,250 per week, representing a 51% saving.
This shows the huge saving that can be made by booking holiday accommodation via a holiday rental site, rather than booking in a hotel or using large travel agents. By saving money on your accommodation, it makes it much more affordable for you to travel to your desired holiday destination, even with the increase in APD.  

Save by staying in the UK.

Why not cut out the cost of flying completely, by spending your holiday within the beautiful and varied landscape of the United Kingdom.  The ‘staycation’ is becoming more and more popular, not only as a way to save money, but also because the UK offers a vast range of properties and activities for all the family.  You can find beach holidays along the South Coast, including Devon and Cornwall, and activity holidays in the Lake District, which are all easily accessible without the need for a plane!

The increase in APD tax has been criticised by travel firms in relation to the price banding.  The anomaly within the system shows that an 11hour flight to Los Angeles is cheaper than an 8 hour flight to Barbados, because the price bands are based on flights to country’s capital cities.  But you shouldn’t have to limit your holiday destination just because of a tax increase, and although these tax increases may seem daunting, there are many ways to save money.  Holiday rentals give you privacy, luxury and fun, for a fraction of the hotel price.  
Pure Holiday Homes is a new holiday rental portal offering unique self-catering properties within the UK and abroad for holiday makers seeking great value, flexibility and a large variety of holiday options.  Pure Holiday Homes presents properties in 56 different countries, with thousands of properties in destinations such as France, New Zealand, the Caribbean and Spain.  The website offers user-friendly, effective and quick ways to book and search the ideal holiday home.  There are no hidden costs or fees as holidaymakers deal direct with the property owners.  

Pure Holiday Homes currently has a catalogue of over 13,800 homes which is expected to grow to 30,000 properties by the end of 2011.  The website is perfect not only for holiday makers to find that perfect holiday rental, but is also a cost-effective way for homeowners to market their properties, for a modest £147 subscription.  This competitive listing price is approximately half of that of most, more established companies in this sector.  
For more information please visit www.pureholidayhomes.com

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Notes to Editor
Pure Holiday Homes is a new holiday rental portal offering unique self-catering properties at home and abroad for holidaymakers seeking better value, more flexibility and greater choice.
Pure Holiday Homes offers fast, efficient and user-friendly ways to search and book that perfect holiday rental. Holidaymakers deal direct with owners so there are no hidden costs or fees. The website currently features over 13,800 properties, state-of-the-art search functions, and opportunities for last minute deals as well as fantastic early bird savings.
Other services include the Let Us Inspire You section, helping holidaymakers to choose the very best of summer holiday homes, charming cottages and seaside retreats, as well as many lovely properties in France and Italy. The News section reminds fun-loving travellers to book their accommodation in time for some of the most exciting events. The latest additions to the website are highlighted in Newly Added Properties.

For further press information please contact Mairi Lucas on Tel: 01753 728 730 or Email:  mlucas@pureholidayhomes.com