Yahoo Finance British €25 sunbed app 'to beat Germans' is also available in Germany
A new holiday app hailed by Nigel Farage, among others, as giving Brits the chance to “get one over the Germans” in the race to reserve sunbeds will also be available in Germany.
Travel firm Thomas Cook has introduced a scheme where for €25 sunseekers can reserve a lounger before they set off for their holiday.
Former Ukip leader Farage said of the service: “It’s nice to be ahead of the Germans for once. Another Brexit bonus!”
But, it’s been confirmed the service is not just for British holidaymakers.
A Thomas Cook spokeswoman said: “It’s available to all our key markets, the Nordics, in Germany, France, Belgium etc.
“Only 10% to 20% will be bookable; for those customers that don’t want to pay, and want to go down in the morning and see what’s there, they can still do that. It’s very much about choice, rather than charging for sun loungers.”
The idea is to try to avoid the 5am dash to beat your rivals to the best spots. However, it now seems Brits will be in an email race to reserve the best loungers with others across Europe, including the Germans who are painted as past masters in the art.
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Thomas Cook managing director Chris Mottershead said: “Traditional package holidays are a thing of the past.
“Holidaymakers today want to personalise their package, mixing and matching the elements that best fit their needs and lifestyle.
“We’re excited about the opportunity with ‘Choose Your Favourite Sunbed’, particularly among families that want to secure a number of beds together in a specific spot.”
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The firm’s sunbed service will be available in 30 hotels at various resorts this summer. Customers will be emailed a link to a map showing the location of the sunbeds and the cost, six days prior to heading out.
You can then choose which best suit your needs, taking into account how close to the pool they are, or the bar, or where the sun is at various times of the day, so you can see where to get the best of the sun in the morning and shade in the heat of the afternoon.
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It is not clear, however, how the booked sun loungers will be policed. A maximum of 20% of sunbeds will be available to reserve, and the firm says: “Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee everyone will be offered this option due to operational reasons.”
It comes after a number of videos were posted online in recent months showing British holidaymakers sprinting to get sunbeds as dawn breaks.
