Summer Holidays are Plain Sailing by Ferry

More families discover fantastic ferry breaks with journeys up
4 per cent during April, May and June 2010 and a bumper summer predicted!


Ferry firms are forecasting a bumper summer with getaways by sea expected to be popular as passengers opt for the reliability and convenience of a ferry holiday. 

Latest figures released by the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) show that passenger numbers increased to 10.17 million in the second quarter of 2010 (April – June), an increase of 4% compared with the same period in 2009 of 9.82 million. 

DiscoverFerries, the consumer website of the PSA sees this upward trend as demonstrating the staying power of the ferry holiday and highlighting the reliability and ease of ferry travel.  With the school summer holidays around the corner, ferry firms have reported an uplift in enquiries and bookings from consumers and point to this increase as demonstrating resurgence in ferry travel.  Consumers have discovered that a family getaway by ferry is not only fair, flexible and great value – but also fun!  Hundreds of consumers are returning to discover the new face of ferries from excellent onboard facilities, bright and spacious bars and lounges, friendly restaurants as well as entertainment for the little ones.

Bill Gibbons, Director of the PSA and Discover Ferries commented: ‘With the school holidays upon us, now is the time to forget the hassles of long airport queues, baggage restrictions, delays and strikes and make a swift and flexible getaway by sea.  When you take a ferry holiday, not only is the going smooth and easy but you can pack as much or as little luggage as you like.  Unlike low-cost airlines which have recently raised fees for checked in luggage, taking a ferry is fair, flexible and the prices are transparent with no hidden extras’. 

For a range of ideas for summer breaks by ferry, visit the Discover Ferries website www.discoverferries.co.uk. The website is easy to navigate and gives advice for all types of families for those who are seeking a beach escape or camping break, to for those looking for an off the beaten track adventure.

Just some of the great summer getaways highlighted on the Discover Ferries website include last minute ‘Brittany bargains for summer’, ‘late summer getaway fares’ from LD Lines and ‘Free Disneyland passes with P&O Ferries’. 

Other trips include family fun and camping in France, great getaways to the Isle of Wight as well as family escapes to the beautiful Channel Islands of Jersey or Guernsey.

www.discoverferries.co.uk provides comprehensive details of ferry companies and routes from the UK to Europe, Ireland, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Scottish Isles and Ireland.

Visit www.discoverferries.co.uk – your one-stop-shop for up-to-date information and news about travelling by ferry


ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS
Source: IRN research commissioned on behalf of the PSA and member organisations.   UK passengers total change 3.6+ per cent April – June 2010. 
*Ferrystat is a monthly statistical report on the UK Ferry market produced by IRN Research in association with the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA), the UK´s leading trade
association for sea passenger travel.