Vacation Resorts: Artisans and Travel in Mexico

Wet Weather Sees Travel Bookings to Sunny Destinations Increase by up to 350%

(PRWEB) February 27, 2008 -- Abnormally wet weather conditions sweeping Eastern Australia combined with super cheap holiday packages (http://www.holidays.lastminute.com.au/holidays.html) due to low season have led to a surge in the number of Aussies packing their cossies and heading away for some highly sought-after sunshine.

On lastminute.com.au, Australia's leading travel and lifestyle website, bookings to sun-soaked destinations have risen as much as 350% on the same period last year (Jan/Feb 2008 on Jan/Feb 2007).

A time when Aussies usually stay put to soak up our own sun, the wet, cold start to 2008 has seen bookings to sunny destinations go through the roof:

?    The Cook Islands (increased by 350%)

?    Fiji (163%)

?    Bali (133%)

?    Vietnam (117%)

?    Maldives (100%)

?    Phuket (50%)

?    Bangkok (37%)

?    Manilla (30%)

?    Singapore (14%)

Chris Meehan, CEO of lastminute.com.au, says "This year's soggy summer has prompted a mad dash to South-East Asia and the Pacific where temperatures are high and there's not a brolli in sight."

The holiday rush is unlikely to slow down with The Australian Bureau of Meteorology recently announcing that the wet weather is expected to remain until June 2008 for Australia's Eastern states.

"This cold weather pattern, teamed with February traditionally being low season with greatly discounted packages, means now is a great time to get away, soak up some sun and save hundreds. Most of our holiday packages right now offer some type of value-add such as free nights."

"Now is the perfect opportunity to make your escape out of the rain. You don't need to spend a fortune and you certainly won't need your wet weather gear."

Rain, Rain Go Away! Low priced sunny escapes on lastminute.com.au right now:

Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji (http://hotels.lastminute.com.au/accommodation/south-pacific/fiji/fiji/fiji-all-areas/viti-levu/sigatoka/outrigger-on-the-lagoon-fiji) (5*)

Stay 7 luxurious nights for the price of 5 - From $722 per person

Valid until 31st March 2008

Allamanda Laguna, Phuket (http://hotels.lastminute.com.au/accommodation/south-east-asia/thailand/thailand/phuket/phuket/phuket/allamanda-laguna-phuket) (4*)

Stay 10 nights for the price of 5 - From $1739 per person

Valid until 31st March 2008

Nandini Bali Resort & Spa (http://hotels.lastminute.com.au/accommodation/south-east-asia/indonesia/bali/bali/ubud/ubud/aston-nandini-ubud-resort-and-spa) (5*)

Enjoy 7 nights amongst a lush rainforest - From $1159 per person

Valid until 15th March 2008

For an interview with a lastminute.com.au spokesperson, information on more last minute wet weather escapes or to grab some high res images, drop us a line or pick up the phone:

Valentina Zarew - Spin Communications    

P: 02 9360 3377                

M: 0400 277 117            

E: v.zarew@spin.com.au             

Angie Bohlmann - lastminute.com.au

P: 02 9249 5220

M: 0408 491 722

E: abohlmann@lastminute.com.au

ABOUT LASTMINUTE.COM.AU

lastminute.com.au launched in Australia and New Zealand in 2000 and offers a range of products and services to Australians including hotels, international flights, domestic flights, holidays, gifts, entertainment and experiences. The company has continued to develop a distinctive brand that communicates spontaneity and a sense of adventure, attracting a loyal community of registered subscribers. Today, lastminute.com.au has more than 345,000 subscribers in Australia.

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