Thomas Cook Angling Holidays

[Guest davidP]

I was most interested to see the news item that Elton posted regarding Thomas Cook organising fishing holidays to the USA (see the link on the top left of the BB front page if you haven't seen it). For an organisation such as Thomas Cook to offer specialised fishing trips is quite unusual. They must really think there's some money in it! And I think I can see where from.

 

The release states that the lead-in price (which I think means cheapest) is £859 per person for 5 nights room only with 4 days fishing from the bank, based on 2 people sharing a room. That's £1718 for 5 nights in America!!!

Less than 15 mins on the web got me the same brand hotel for £300 (per room not per person), car hire from the same company for £130 and the flights (on the same airline) for £720. That's £1150 total.

So for an extra £568 Thomas cook will get you a guide (who's really into boat guiding so will probably just dump you on the bank in a semi-decent area whilst he makes real money taking people out on his boat); they'll get you tackle (which will probably be American style and therefore not exactly what we're used to) and they'll make all the arrangements for you (which would only take a bit of research and a couple of hours on the web for you to do yourself).

And this is their cheapest trip - I hate to think how much the good ones are!

 

As someone who has visited the States regulary in the last couple of year (my wife is American) I never cease to be amazed at how much the big companies rip us off on holiday prices. The advent of the web and the fact that most companies in the US have web sites and online booking means that you can normally finance all your holiday spending money just from the money you save by doing it yourself, and often quite a chunk more such as better quality rooms, car, side trips etc.

 

There are also several specialised companies who offer far better value fishing holidays all over the world. You'll get a more personalised holiday, knowledgable staff, the proper tackle etc. I had a John Wilson guided tour in Canada for only a little more than Thomas Cook are charging for this and that was a full week all-in, fully guided, boats, the works! (ok, so I spent the entire week in hospital having come down with appendicitis on the plane, but that's beside the point *grin*). A fully inclusive week on Lake Nasser is around the same price, and I know which I would prefer!

 

So Thomas Cook - nice try but no cigar! America has much superb fishing to offer but not at those prices.

 

p.s.

Please note this post is in no way intended as a comment on or criticism of Anglers Net for bringing us the information. They are quite correct to inform us of these things and I for one am pleased that they did.

 

 

[This message has been edited by davidP (edited 05 May 2000).]

[Guest Elton]

Crikey, David, you've missed your true vocation!!

 

As for the press releases, my intention is to publish anything that is sent here if it is relevant to angling - I leave it up to anglers to form their own opinions on them and, having read your post above, go along with a lot of what you are saying

 

In all fairness, I think different types of holidays suit different individuals....differently. I'm going to St. Lucia this year and have decided to take the plunge and do it all direct with the hotel and airline - I'm quite happy with the arrangement (so far!), but can see why some people prefer to walk into a high street shop without the hassle and worry! Having said that, I've saved about £1000 on the brochure price

 

Good to see some feedback - I was beginning to think that the press releases were going unnoticed!

 

All the best,

 

Elton

 

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Elton Murphy

Anglers' Net http://www.anglersnet.co.uk

 

[This message has been edited by Elton (edited 05 May 2000).]