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YOU would think it impossible to book a tour package for the June break by now.
| Highlights of some June packages |
| - 5D Macau and Zhuhai Explorer (From $398)
Explore Zhuhai's signature attractions such as the Shijing Shan Park, Statue of the Fishergirl and Lover's Road.
Package includes a shopping spree at Zhuhai's famous underground shopping complex.
In Macau, visit the Ruins of St Paul's Church, Kum Lam Statue and Golden Lotus Square and stay at the 5-star New Century or Venetian Macao-Resort Hotel.
Call ASA Holidays at 6303 5303.
- 5D Go Go Shopping in Korea (From $598)
Comes with a return air ticket, three nights' stay at the 6-star Lotte World Hotel.
Package includes a mini DIY facial session, a hotspring dip, sightseeing and a shopping spree.
Call ASA Holidays at 6303 5303.
- 8D Korea Discovery and Jeju Island (From $1,338)
The tour covers Jeju Island, the Bulguksa Temple, the Bomun Lake, and Yongpyong Dragon Valley.
Call SA Tours at 6535 2611.
- 1-for-1 promo to Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park (from $499)
With a minimum purchase of a two-night stay in Hong Kong, customers can get a buy-1-get-1-free promotion for tickets into Ocean Park.
For a three-night stay at $579, travellers can buy one ticket into Disneyland and get another free.
Call Focal Travel at 6536 1766.
- 5D Japan Delight (from $1,088)
See the Asakusa Kannon Temple, go shopping at Nakamise Avenue and take in the sights at Peace Park.
Call Asia-Euro Holidays at 6338 5566.
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However, it is still possible to find good deals.
Tour agencies, which have been reporting lacklustre sales during this usually brisk sales period, have unleashed a slew of cheap holiday packages.
One of them is Asia Euro Holidays.
Ms Kwan Lee, its assistant product manager, said: "As the market is slow, we are offering additional one-night stays for free for our two-day packages, at places like Chiangmai, Koh Samui, Phuket, Krabi, Bangkok and Bali."
Ms Ruth Lim, 28, spokesperson for SA Tours, said bookings are "mediocre" now, due to the recent spate of calamities in Asia and the hikes in fuel surcharges.
She added that bookings for China have been the worst-hit, while Japan, Korea and Taiwan remain popular.
"Those planning for personal leisure trips may be deterred for the time being, but those that aren't, are heading for other destinations like Europe and America, which have been pulling in the crowds due to the stronger Singapore dollar," Ms Lim said. The trend in recent years, she added, also has been for families to go away for short trips, ranging from three to eight days, in Asia.
ASA Holidays' spokesperson, Ms Eileen Oh, agreed.
She said the agency reported a 20 per cent increase for bookings to Japan and South Korea compared to last year.
Ms Oh, 28, deputy general manager of marketing communications, said: "Despite dampening economic conditions, leisure travel has become part of the everyday lifestyle for many hardworking Singaporeans.
"They want a well-deserved relaxing break, but are spending conservatively and looking for the most value-for-money holiday deals."
Ms Oh said her agency has thus planned free-and-easy holiday packages below $500 to cater to the thriftier crowd.
They are further sweetening the deal by giving away free return air tickets on Jetstar Asia to Kuala Lumpur to all of its customers, for any booking in June.
SA Tours said that it is looking forward to market sentiments improving in the months to come. In July, it is holding a travel fair.
Judging from past experience, Ms Lim's advice to travellers is to start booking their tickets now for the upcoming year-end holiday season.
She said: "We encourage people to book ahead of time to avoid a seat crunch, which happened last year."
This article was first published in The New Paper on June 6, 2008.
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