Spain tops poll of Brits travel plans
Two thirds of British holidaymakers will be taking beach holidays abroad this summer, with Spain the top country.
An analysis of more than 3.5 million British holiday searches by TravelSupermarket revealed that 68% were looking for short haul beach destinations.
One in three (33%) plan a holiday to the Balearics, mainland Spain, or the Canary Islands.
Greece, the US, Portugal and Italy follow as the top destinations this summer.
Majorca is the most popular destination followed by Tenerife, the Algarve, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Orlando, Gran Canaria, Benidorm, Crete and Disneyland Paris.
The French theme park is the most popular destination for families, with four out of five searches for the destination being from family groups.
Spain’s Costa Dorada takes second place – a mix of both classic family beaches with PortAventura close by. Orlando comes in third, home to Walt Disney World Florida and Universal Orlando Resort, along with many other family attractions.
Cities and beach destinations with a more romantic feel are most in favour for couples, including Venice, Rome, Paris, New York, Santorini, the Maldives and Cancun.
The top beach party destinations are Malia, Ayia Napa, Magaluf and Kavos. One in two searches for these destinations is made by groups of three or more adults.
Cheaper Sunny Beach in Bulgaria is fast becoming a young person’s resort and developing a notorious ‘anything goes’ party scene.
TravelSupermarket travel expert Bob Atkinson said: “Its ‘Viva Espana’ this summer with eight of the top 20 most searched destinations being to the country and its islands, six of them in the top ten and the country firmly holding the top two positions.
“Year after year Brits go en masse to the country’s resorts and cities, knowing it will deliver on sunny summer weather, great blue flag beaches, fantastic value for money and of course plenty of places to enjoy themselves.
“The cost of living in Spain and other eurozone destinations has also been slashed for holidaymakers this summer, with the strength of the pound making the continent even better value for money on arrival than in previous years.”
He added: “Greece has been popular for Brits searching for their summer breaks since the turn of the year, drawn by great prices and cheap costs in resort.
“And despite the current woes of the country we are still seeing thousands choosing to visit the destination for its many fantastic islands this summer break.
“The lure of cheap deals and low prices on many resorts seems to be enough to convince people it’s still good to go, and with the destination offering tourists a big welcome this summer, so long as holidaymakers take enough cash with them, there are some real bargains to be had.
“For those still to book their summer break, it’s not too late. There are huge numbers of cheap late deals around at the moment flying out of airports up and down the country.
“Offers to destinations such as Greece for £229 self-catering, Majorca for £405 bed and breakfast and Turkey for £537 on all-inclusive basis are still available for one week stays from UK departure airports in the school holidays.”
original article issued on TravelWeekly http://goo.gl/RVlL8O
An analysis of more than 3.5 million British holiday searches by TravelSupermarket revealed that 68% were looking for short haul beach destinations.
One in three (33%) plan a holiday to the Balearics, mainland Spain, or the Canary Islands.
Greece, the US, Portugal and Italy follow as the top destinations this summer.
Majorca is the most popular destination followed by Tenerife, the Algarve, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Orlando, Gran Canaria, Benidorm, Crete and Disneyland Paris.
The French theme park is the most popular destination for families, with four out of five searches for the destination being from family groups.
Spain’s Costa Dorada takes second place – a mix of both classic family beaches with PortAventura close by. Orlando comes in third, home to Walt Disney World Florida and Universal Orlando Resort, along with many other family attractions.
Cities and beach destinations with a more romantic feel are most in favour for couples, including Venice, Rome, Paris, New York, Santorini, the Maldives and Cancun.
The top beach party destinations are Malia, Ayia Napa, Magaluf and Kavos. One in two searches for these destinations is made by groups of three or more adults.
Cheaper Sunny Beach in Bulgaria is fast becoming a young person’s resort and developing a notorious ‘anything goes’ party scene.
TravelSupermarket travel expert Bob Atkinson said: “Its ‘Viva Espana’ this summer with eight of the top 20 most searched destinations being to the country and its islands, six of them in the top ten and the country firmly holding the top two positions.
“Year after year Brits go en masse to the country’s resorts and cities, knowing it will deliver on sunny summer weather, great blue flag beaches, fantastic value for money and of course plenty of places to enjoy themselves.
“The cost of living in Spain and other eurozone destinations has also been slashed for holidaymakers this summer, with the strength of the pound making the continent even better value for money on arrival than in previous years.”
He added: “Greece has been popular for Brits searching for their summer breaks since the turn of the year, drawn by great prices and cheap costs in resort.
“And despite the current woes of the country we are still seeing thousands choosing to visit the destination for its many fantastic islands this summer break.
“The lure of cheap deals and low prices on many resorts seems to be enough to convince people it’s still good to go, and with the destination offering tourists a big welcome this summer, so long as holidaymakers take enough cash with them, there are some real bargains to be had.
“For those still to book their summer break, it’s not too late. There are huge numbers of cheap late deals around at the moment flying out of airports up and down the country.
“Offers to destinations such as Greece for £229 self-catering, Majorca for £405 bed and breakfast and Turkey for £537 on all-inclusive basis are still available for one week stays from UK departure airports in the school holidays.”
original article issued on TravelWeekly http://goo.gl/RVlL8O
