Aldi moves into holiday market

Aldi says its holidays won't break the bank

Cut-price supermarket Aldi has begun to offer beach holidays and city breaks to cash-strapped consumers.

The move comes as the travel industry enters its busiest period of the year, with 20% of summer holidays usually booked before the end of the month.

The chain will offer around six exclusive holiday deals every two weeks via its website.

Aldi is already the second biggest travel agent in Austria and also sells holidays in Switzerland and Germany.

Among the current top offers is seven nights half board in a 4 star Benidorm hotel in July. It will cost two adults £518, with the first child going free.

Supermarket model

Aldi said the model it was using was similar to how the supermarket sells food.

It will offer a limited range of holiday deals but hopes to sell them in big volumes.

A spokeswoman said that prices will be 20% to 30% cheaper than regular tour operators.

Destinations on offer are mainly in Europe including Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Portugal and Turkey.

However, the weak pound could mean that people look further afield than the eurozone for their holidays this year

Aldi, and rivals like Lidl, have fared well during the economic downturn, increasing market share as consumers seek cheaper prices.

Asda also offers a holiday booking service from its website.