Bargain Caribbean breaks on offer

CARIBBEAN holidays from €489 for a week are on offer over the next nine days in an effort to boost tourism to the French overseas departments of Guadeloupe and Martinique.

A range of tour operators are working together with the Ministry of Overseas Territories to offer 10,000 package holidays including flights from the French mainland to Pointe-à Pitre (Guadeloupe) and Fort-de-France (Martinique).

The holidays are for a minimum of six nights, in two to four-star hotels and sometimes include car hire or an activity.

A dedicated website has been set up at www.partirauxcaraibes.fr .

Holidays are listed by date, tour operator and price. Once you click on one you are directed to full details on the operator’s site. The offers are open until the end of May 15.

The promotion follows a slump in bookings to the two islands following workers’ protests earlier this year and the global financial crisis.

Hotel bookings were down 30% in January and February this year compared to 2008.

Photo:Martinique by Spigoo