FORGET the big summer getaway, it seems us Brits are looking to enjoy holidays all year.
May and June look set to become the favourite months for those jetting off on a break, according to new figures released by the travel association ABTA.
AlamyPopular holiday destinations like Greece are staying open to tourists for longer in the year[/caption]
Their recent survey of UK holidaymakers revealed a growing trend for year-round travel, with the sun setting on traditional July and August escapes.
The move is being driven by those looking for better value on their breaks, with out of season prices often much lower than peak periods around school holidays.
ABTA spokesperson Emma Brennan said: “Going out of season is more cost effective than travelling in peak. We are in an era now of all-year-round travel.”
It’s also being helped by popular resorts in the likes of Turkey and Greece staying open for longer, thanks to their extended good weather.
Emma said: “The demand for travel outside of peak periods is there and we know many members are working to meet that demand by extending seasons in some destinations
“If people’s intentions become reality, then May and June will be the most popular months for overseas breaks next year, slightly ahead of the traditional peak months of July and August.”
And it seems more of us are taking more holidays, with 18-24 year-olds averaging 2.7 trips a year, and families 2.3 trips, spreading them out throughout the year.
Spain, unsurprisingly, remains the favourite destination for British holidaymakers, with Turkey storming back into the top ten at number eight, visited by almost one in 10 travellers over the past year.
Firm favourites France (no. 2), Greece (no. 5) and Portugal ((no. 7) held steady as the US (no. 4) and Cyprus (no. 10) saw a slight fall in numbers of visitors while Italy (no. 3) and the Netherlands (no. 9) welcomed more tourists.
City breaks are also tops with travellers, making up 40 per cent of all trips taken by Brits, beating beach holidays.
However, those booking packages through travel agents tend to go more for sun and sand destinations, with city breaks coming in behind.
Multi-destination trips are also on the rise, a trend ABTA are seeing coming out of the pandemic.
And, it appears, more of us are looking for value for money by booking all-inclusive holidays, up from 15 per cent in 2022 to 18 per cent this year.
ABTA’s Graham Buck said: “Holidays are still a spending priority. It’s a very resilient market. People are determined to make travel fit their budget.”
Package holidays are also rising in popularity with holidaymakers, who say it offers better value for money and convenience than DIY breaks, as well as giving them the security of help and support if things go wrong.
Graham said: “Packages remain the most popular way to travel for people taking a holiday overseas, particularly among families and younger travellers.
“Sixty one per cent of people who went on holiday abroad in the last year took a package, rising to two thirds of 18-34 years and three quarters of families,”
Online accounts for a huge 83 per cent of bookings in the last year, with 41 per cent of those being made on mobile phones, up from just 20 per cent in 2017.
ABTA Chief Executive Mark Tanzer said: “In the past 12 months the travel industry has continued its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic against a backdrop of an ongoing rise in the cost of living.
“The industry has also experienced a number of natural, man-made and technological challenges – from wildfires to strikes and unprecedented air traffic control outage.
“Despite this, bookings and confidence in travel are strong.”
AlamyPackage holidays are also rising in popularity with holidaymakers[/caption]