Global - Technology - Review

The UK's unpredictable weather has caused a spike in bookings for the Red Sea

With wide-spread flooding, stop-start showers and lingering drizzle, it's little wonder that Brits are leaving the country to find the sun in Red Sea resorts like El Gouna.

Tour operators Holiday Designers and Red Sea Holidays have both seen sales peak over the last fortnight and believe the erratic weather and lack of summer weather is the prime reason. With the near-guaranteed sunshine that El Gouna offers, it's no surprise that the resort is a popular pick.

In particular, the Red Sea resort is proving attractive to couples, with the Three Corners Ocean View Hotel in El Gouna reporting a 16% increase in UK bookings over the last two weeks, all made by two adults sharing a double room.

Dan Lion, Managing Director at Holidays Designers, concurs: "Late bookings for El Gouna are typically made by couples heading over for a week to make use of their bank holidays rather than being stuck indoors at home."

Both Holiday Designers and Red Sea Holidays report that it's the late deals that are really proving popular for people fed up with the rain, with most bookings made within two weeks of departure.

Jason Hilton, Sales Director at Red Sea Holidays, says that El Gouna has remained a popular choice for travellers since April this year: "Sales have been exceptionally strong since the Easter break, particularly late sales. There's no doubt the unpredictable weather is playing a big part in driving sales with people desperate for some well-deserved sunshine!"

El Gouna is recognised as Egypt's most environmentally-friendly holiday destination, with unspoilt lagoons and miles of sandy beaches. The destination is affordable too - check out two deals offered by Holiday Designers and Red Sea Holidays.

Holiday Designers Sample Package
Spend seven nights at the five-star Mövenpick Resort & Spa, El Gouna, from just £545 per person with Holiday Designers. This offer is based on two adults sharing on a B&B board basis, baggage, transfers, airport tax and return flights from London Gatwick departing on 29 June 2012.

Add Diving with Emperor Divers:
5 days diving for £155
PADI Open Water Course £205
PADI Advanced Open Water Course £185

Add Golf:
3x18 holes £95
5x18 holes £139

For more information or to book please visit www.holiday-designers.com or call 020 3384 0023.

About El Gouna

Starting out as a simple real estate project more than 20 years ago, El Gouna is now OD's flagship resort. El Gouna is built on 10km of secluded coastline, has 24,000 residents pread across islands and lagoons and is the only mature fully fledged town on the Red Sea Riviera. The year-round sunshine destination boasts world-class amenities including 18 hotels, 100 bars and restaurants, three marinas, an 18-hole golf course and a variety of retail spa and fitness facilities. El Gouna also houses award winning architecture and the first hotels in Egypt to be awarded the Green Star Hotel Certification.