80S TRAVEL BROCHURES REVEAL SHOCKING PRICE OF PACKAGE HOLIDAYS — INCLUDING ONE FOR £69

80s Travel Brochures Reveal Shocking Price of Package Holidays

Old travel brochures provide a fascinating insight into vacation prices during the 1980s and 90s.

Siesta Holidays, a company based in Middlesbrough that operated for 44 years, showcased affordable European coach holidays long before the rise of cheap flights and Airbnb influenced travel.

To celebrate nearly five decades of service, the company released its vintage brochures. One standout offer from 1982 presented a 17-day all-inclusive holiday for merely £69, which is about £250 in today’s money.

Travel discounts were generous; children under 19 traveled for free, and a week’s trip cost just £49, while two-week trips started at £69. These packages took tourists across the south of France, Italy, and Spain, covering all travel and accommodation costs.

A 1994 brochure continued the trend with free holidays for children under 19.

By 1989, Siesta Holidays expanded its destinations to include areas like the former Yugoslavia and Austria, allowing travelers to experience more of Europe.

Despite their longstanding success, Siesta Holidays announced its closure next month due to financial difficulties exacerbated by the pandemic and the Brexit aftermath, which complicated travel logistics.

John Harrison, the director, explained, "We faced challenges post-Covid that hindered our operations, and young travelers increasingly opt for low-cost airlines over coach travel."

Even though they are shutting down, Harrison noted that there is a wealth of fond memories from clients who enjoyed their European trips.

He expressed the significance of their service in providing accessible trips for families, allowing them to create lasting memories.