How to Arrange Your Ibiza Holiday
There are so many things to consider when starting to think about booking your annual holiday. Where will you stay? How are you going to get there? How much is it all going to cost? What's the best time to go? What's the weather going to be like? Is my suitcase going to be big enough for all my clothes??
Here are some handy points to think about if you're considering the 'DIY' route:
Flights
- Hunt around for an airline offering flights to your chosen destination
- Don't always rule out scheduled airlines compared to the 'low-cost' ones, as some offer summer specials at a competitive rate
- Factor in the cost of getting from the airport to your end resort destination. There's no point in getting a bargain on the flight, and spending a fortune getting your accommodation
Accommodation
- Many companies use the Internet to publish online Last Minute Offers and other holiday searches such as Holiday Finder, have relationships with local resort accommodation providers and can check out resort accommodation availability based on a search criteria
- If considering a short weekend break, it is worthwhile considering resorts which are close to the airport and those which are used to receiving an influx of people over a weekend
- Whilst many of the larger popular resorts have plenty of bedstock this can be hard to procure for short-stays, although as the market changes, more hotels are offering short break accommodations
Getting to and from your resort
- Public transport can often be the cheapest way of travelling to and from the airport but it doesn't always run on a direct route, and can sometimes require two/three changes
- Hiring a car gives flexibility. Also a return departure can be left to as late as possible for maximum holiday time! Nevertheless you are entirely responsible for reaching your destination on time.
- Private Transfers or Taxis are best sorted by pre-booking. Jumping into a taxi on arrival at the airport will not be the cheapest way of getting to a resort destination. If travelling on your own, or in a small group, there are companies that offer a door to door shared transfer service
A typical 'DIY' Booking Sequence will consist of ensuring that flights, accommodation and transfers are all booked effectively and efficiently. It's not always an easy or straightforward process but if booked in the right order there shouldn't be too many problems at a later stage. The following is a guide which may assist the independent traveller when booking:
- Select dates and choose a few resorts.
- Check price, times and availability of flights to the resorts of interest.
- Decide on the standard and type of accommodation you are after (Apartment Agencies, Campsites, Villa, Hostels, Hotels, or Self-catered Apartments), or check out Last Minute Offers, then enquire about accommodation cost and availability.
- Get an 'option' held for your accommodation before booking flights. Accommodation providers will normally give you a time frame in which to decide on and then confirm your reservation.
- Arrange transport that will get you to and from the resort of your choice. You could select to hire a car, take a taxi, use a local airport transfer company or the public bus service which run frequently to the resort during the day.
- Generally, the independent holiday is then best booked in the order: Flight, Accommodation, car hire or transfer to resort.
You can also 'tailor make' a holiday by purchasing a low cost 'no frills' airline ticket, hotel or go to another supplier directly. Whilst this option may be cheaper than through a travel agent or operator, it is worthwhile noting the following:
- There is no legal requirement for the supplier to provide any security against insolvency.
- If any one component of the arrangement fails, you may have to make [maybe by then costly] alternative arrangements, without any course of recompense. Furthermore, if you are already abroad, you may find yourself stranded.
- Presently, there is no obligation by another airline company to assist you in your homeward journey.
- There is no company representative to provide assistance with any queries or emergencies during the holiday.
- Should a flight be cancelled, diverted or hotel doubled booked, there may be no assistance available. It will usually be you who incurs the additional costs of alternative transport to get back home (although this can be an outcome with a Tour Operator as well).
- Passengers carried on scheduled airlines are not protected by ATOL (Air Travel Organisers License) unless the seat has been bought through an ATOL holder, i.e. not directly with the airline. Insurance policies will not always cover the cost of travel if an airline becomes insolvent.
A good alternative is to use the services of a bonded independent travel service to create a 'tailored package' or a small local operator who will help provide assistance when necessary. It is a good idea to check that a company is properly registered as a business, either in the UK or locally, and if they have been granted credit-card handling facilities by their bank.
Safe Online Booking: Avoid the Ibiza Scams
To help you book your holiday in Ibiza safely online, here are a few key points to ensure you avoid the scams:
- Ensure that any holiday company is reputable by checking their track record, read reviews & ask questions. Trust your instincts - if something doesn't seem right, take additional steps to check.
- Do your research. Get the full address, ask for a full contract with terms and conditions of the rental, deposit & payment terms.
- If booking a private chalet or apartment, speak to the owner or agent directly. If the telephone number isn't provided, email and request it.
- Double check all details such as travel dates, itineraries, destinations and travellers before confirming payment, as you may be charged for amendments.
- Prior to payment, obtain a contract setting out terms and conditions of the rental, deposits, payment terms etc.
- If suitbale, pay for holidays and travel using a credit card as this offers additional financial protection.
- Before entering payment card details on a website, ensure the site is secure. On any web pages where you are entering financial details, there should be a padlock symbol in the browser window and the web address should begin with "https://". When making a payment to an individual, use a secure payment site such as PayPal – never transfer the money directly into their bank account.
- Keep receipts of all online bookings and monitor your payment by checking your credit card and bank statements once the holiday is booked.
- Take out travel insurance.
- Do not reply to unsolicited emails from companies you do not recognise.
Independent or agent?
Over the past few years largely as a result of the ease of booking holiday components on the internet directly with operators, people have started to venture away from the traditional local travel agent 'package holiday', in favour of creating their own, potentially cheaper and more flexible, independent travel arrangements. This has been facilitated by the rise of the 'low cost' airlines, and a need for a more dynamic approach to taking shorter breaks more often.
Research carried out by US Investment bank Goldman Sachs, indicated that it could be 26% cheaper to book the flights and accommodation independently on the internet rather than splashing out on a travel agents 'package deal'. Many of the bigger operators have responded to this and are now beginning to make available 'dynamic packaging' and removing cost by shifting towards direct reservations and online selling.
Nevertheless, it is not always just about saving money: currently a bit of research opens up a greater range of possibilities to find characterful accommodation, not always linked to huge searchable databases, and owners passionate enough about their surroundings and pursuits to want offer these and more as part of their tailor-made 'packages'. Larger operators sometimes struggle to provide this personal touch.
What you do tend to get overall with a package from a Tour Operator is a greater degree of financial protection from relevant regulatory bodies if things were to go a bit wrong. Since small to medium sized companies rely mostly on goodwill from their clients and would probably only need to help a few clients at a time, they would probably be more helpful in difficult situations, but potentially less likely to provide substantial financial compensation. Nowadays with the change in the 'independentness' of the marketplace and in an effort to keep costs to a minimum, combined with a lack of alternative options for many independent companies, you could find that you have to rely on your own resources and travel insurance to get you home when 'force majeure' (bad weather, industrial action, etc.) comes into play. In any case, make sure you read the small print and have suitable travel insurance.
