Research carried out by the Family Holiday Association has shown that tourism can bring remarkable benefits to family life. Holidays give families the chance to spend quality time together away from the stress and worries of every day life and also provide a great way of increase social networks and making new friends.

And the more activities available to distract you from your every day worries, the greater the chance to focus on your family and forget about work. It’s hard to click on your Blackberry when you’re playing football and you won’t hear it ring when you’re in the swimming pool!

‘We try and include a whole range of activities to appeal to all ages,’ say Haven Holidays, who have 35 family holiday parks around the UK. ‘We offer fencing lessons, football coaching, archery, golf, horse-riding, climbing walls and a whole range of activities in our swimming pools from swimming lessons to Aqua Gliders and Water Walkerz. And kids clubs are a great way for youngsters to get to know each other and a good ice-breaker for Mums and Dads too!’

Haven also offer a full programme of daytime and evening entertainment with pantos, circus performances and wrestling as well as music, stage-shows and cabaret. Kid’s clubs range from Little Cubs for 1-4 year olds, club R & B for 5-11’s and T-Co Zone for 12-16’s along with a packed programme of talent contests, family quizzes, competitions and activities for all ages.

Fantastic value for money, many Haven activities and the full programme of entertainment are included in the price. An Easter weekend break for a family of six at Haven Holidays’ Thorpe Park near Cleethorpes, arriving 2nd April starts at £279 – a saving of £136 on the brochure price.

For more information and details of other special offers click on www.haven.com or call 0871 230 1900.

PR consultancy About Words, run by travel specialist Deborah McCabe, has taken over the account of warner Leisure Hotels. warner offer ‘adult only’ leisure breaks to a choice of thirteen hotels and ‘coastal villages’ including a number of listed historic buildings.

They also operate Strictly Come Dancing breaks which are exclusive to warner and offer a comprehensive range of ‘Experience Breaks’.

About Words has looked after PR on behalf of Haven Holidays for the last ten years.

Last year the consultancy was praised by media experts for its handling of a story when football star Rio Ferdinand and his family visited one of Haven’s caravan parks.

The agency was also responsible for creating and launching Haven Fun & Fitness, a highly successful and innovative CSR project that has boosted goodwill and consumer awareness of the Haven brand amongst parents of pre-school age children.

Also working with the new account will be former Daily Mail news executive Keith James and Sian Curtis.

Deborah McCabe said: “warner Leisure Hotels is a hugely exciting brand and has great scope for many PR opportunities. We’re delighted to be working with the warner team to promote the group and enhance their image.”

About Words can be reached on 01444 235154 or email info@aboutwords.co.uk

‘The staycation is here to stay’ say Haven Holidays, who have seen a marked increase in families booking longer holidays this year. And it’s not just about saving money – it’s also about saving carbon emissions and shunning air travel in favour of a holiday closer to home.

More than 65% of people booking a Haven Holiday choose a park less than 2 hours drive from their own home. Which means they are on holiday and enjoying themselves in less time than it takes to get to the airport and check in for an international flight.

Haven say,‘Our UK holidays offers excellent value for money with great savings for families. During the Easter holidays kids go free, with lots of included activities and entertainment. We believe it’s the best way to enjoy a
fantastic family break whilst still keeping your carbon footprint to a minimum.’

Haven offer a varied programme of activities and entertainment on the parks – as well as a wide choice of take-away and restaurant meal options, well-stocked shops for easy self-catering and beaches, resorts and attractions within walking distance. Many customers don’t feel the need to use their cars at all during their holidays.

‘We try and encourage kids to be more green-aware during their holidays,’ added Haven. ‘All our 35 UK holiday parks hold conservation awards, with many achieving the coveted ‘Green Tourism’ award as well. We have strong
policies with regard to recycling and energy-saving. This year we will be introducing even more fun green activities for kids with wildlife sessions, rock pool rambles and even glow-worm hunting and bat walks on some parks!

Prices during the Easter holidays start at £85 per adult based on two grown ups sharing – with no charge for the kids. The price is based on a three night weekend break from April 9th at Wild Duck or Caister in Norfolk or Berwick in Northumberland.Check the website for other similar deals, including Spring breaks from £99 at Haven’s 35 family holiday parks around the UK. Call 0871 230 1900 or click on www.haven.com

As Joe McElderry celebrates his victory and his debut single looks set to be the Christmas number one you might be wondering where to start in order to emulate his success.

Haven Holidays say ‘Don’t wait for the X-Factor – we’re looking for the H-Factor in our talent contests every single week at our 35 family holiday Parks!’

‘Haven’s Got Talent’ takes place throughout the season – so whether you sing, dance, play a musical instrument or fancy yourself as a comedian – the stage can be yours. Everybody loves the talent contest and it’s a great way to start performing in front of an audience.

The talent contest is just part of a sensational programme of entertainment on Haven Holidays parks next year. Glitzy new stage-shows, brand new character shows with Rory the Tiger and his friends, professional cabaret, tribute bands, circus performers and pantos are all on the agenda for 2010. And there are Kid’s Clubs, sports and activities and first class facilities for families as well – talented or not there’s loads to keep all ages amused!

With 35 award winning family holiday parks in fabulous locations around the UK there’s a talent contest within easy reach. And with prices from as little as £129 for a Spring break for a family of four you’ll enjoy a great value for money holiday as well!

This winter Haven Holidays are spending a whopping £40million pounds on new facilities and improvements to their 35 family holiday parks in the UK. They say, ‘The stay-cation is definitely here to stay. We’re investing in new facilities, new accommodation and new ways to make our holidays even better for families. And we’re including more in the price to make sure our holidays are really good value for money.’

New Space Bowls

Several million pounds will make swimming even more fun. All Haven holiday parks have heated indoor swimming pools and they’re always popular whatever the weather. This summer the pools at Combe Haven, near Hastings and Marton Mere, near Blackpool will both have fabulous new Space Bowls where fun-seekers can reach speeds of up to 50 mph as they’re propelled down the flumes. And there will be new terraces for sun-bathing, better changing facilities and a unique new ‘SplashZone Grotto’ at Rockley Park.

Free swimming lessons

This year Haven are planning to encourage even more children to learn to swim by providing FREE swimming lessons with qualified instructors. ‘We helped more than 40,000 kids to improve their swimming in 2009,’ say Haven ‘and hope that even more children will benefit in 2010. It’s really important that everyone should be confident and happy in the water.’

It’s not just about swimming – splashtastic fun includes all sorts of extra activities to keep kids happy in the pools. Check out the Water Walkerz – where you climb inside a giant inflatable ball to roll and bounce over the surface of the pool; AquaJets (James Bond style powered submersibles); Aqua Gliders (mini inflatable jet skis) and wacky sessions with giant fun inflatables.

Even more sports

Other activities on offer at Haven parks include golf, fishing, surf lessons, climbing walls, tennis and horse-riding. In 2010 several more parks will have Adventure Golf – more challenging than crazy golf and more fun than pitch ‘n’ putt! Next year Adventure Golf is new at Marton Mere, Littlesea in Dorset and Hopton Holiday Village near Great Yarmouth.

And Coke FC Football coaching will be FREE in 2010 – so you can learn a range of attack and defence skills, dribbling, shooting and top hints and tips for ball control and goal scoring.

Better accommodation

If you’ve never stayed in a caravan before – give it a try! They’re surprisingly comfortable and spacious and Haven are spending £12million to provide even better quality and more choice for 2010. Treat your family to an Exclusive or Platinum holiday home and you can enjoy even more space and luxuries such as ensuite showers, flat screen TV’s and heating throughout. Exclusive holiday homes even have a verandah where you can relax and enjoy stunning sea and lakeside views.

But for sheer value for money you can’t beat the comfortable Standard and Superior holiday homes with everything you need for up to six people.

Great entertainment

Daytime and evening entertainment at all Haven parks will include some brand new stage-shows for 2010, character shows featuring kids favourite’s Rory the Tiger and friends, music, dancing , professional cabaret, pantos, wrestling and international circus stars. Kid’s clubs are free of charge and there are special breaks with lots for under-5’s as well.

You’ll find Haven parks at some stunning locations around the UK with direct access to some truly breath-taking beaches and close to some of Britain’s favourite resorts as well.

And if you book your holiday before January 17th you can take advantage of some excellent early booking deals with three or four night Spring Breaks are available from as little as £129 for a family of up to six on a wide choice of dates and parks.