Last updated at 16:38, Wednesday, 16 January 2013

HUNDREDS of bargain-seeking holidaymakers visited the North-West Evening Mail Travel Fair 2013 at the weekend.

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Queues of people lined the dockside in Barrow, waiting for the 11am opening on Sunday, hoping to bag a bargain cruise or coach break.

The launch of this year’s Reader Travel programme was held at the Dock Museum.

Members of the public chatted with representatives from tour operators and took advantage of special show offers, with a number of four-day breaks available from only £89.

Stalls from Shearings Holidays, Omega Holidays, Preferred Travel, Diamond Holidays, The River Cruise Line, Cruise Connections and the Elgin Hotel in Blackpool all proved popular at the event.

Barrow resident Bill Jones has got a jet-setting 2013 lined up.

Mr Jones, of Infield Gardens, was hoping to visit London, Scotland and Germany over the next 12 months.

He said: “I’ve always found the Reader Travel holidays cover a wide range of destinations. And if you need information, you get real information. They are very careful not to have you running on a wild goose chase.”

Erica Hibbin, travel administrator for the Elgin Hotel, said: “Blackpool has always been popular with Barrow residents.

“People are looking for value and with these breaks it is easy because you just have to catch the coach and you don’t have to worry about

anything else.

“People need to get away and take a break. And in times of economic trouble, good value can be found in the UK.”

Rick Holden, divisional Reader Travel manager, was delighted with the turn-out of 450 holidaymakers at the event.

At the fair, people were also given the chance to sample modern coach travel on a Shearings Setra.

Mr Holden explained that the Setra coaches have “more leg room and are more comfortable.”

He added that the event “went well” with 40 people making their holiday bookings on the day.

First published at 16:14, Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk