Holiday Travel Trends for 2013/2014
If you've been lucky enough to get away on a foreign holiday this year, perhaps you're already thinking how you'll afford it next year? Earlier this month tour operators released their 2014 holidays, amongst a wealth of promotional offers such as individual discounts and 'children go free' places, strategically released when those of us that have got away are suffering from post-holiday blues.
However, for the most part these are difficult to actually take advantage of for a number of reasons.
Firstly, many of us have only just returned from a summer holiday and the expense of laying down a deposit for next year's can prove tight and the commitment of a holiday costing thousands a little overwhelming.
What's more, 'children go free' places are available but often not on your hotel of choice.
According to the National Office of Statistics, 2013 saw fewer UK travellers jetting off - the recession is still hitting UK households hard.
But it's not all doom and gloom, as many people view a holiday as something that can't be given up.
This year, long haul travel, in particular, to North America, saw a decline.
Yet, short haul travel across Europe increased, with around 44.
4 million of us getting away.
European destinations such as Malaga continue to top the polls as the most popular get-away destination from most UK airports, whereby the weather is good, prices are reasonable and individual or tour operator travel has been affordable.
As a result, travel trends for 2014 are expected to mirror activity in 2013 - holidaymakers will avoid expensive long haul options and instead holiday in Europe.
A few years ago, Mintel predicted that holiday travel wouldn't return to pre-recession levels until 2014/15.
However, since that prediction, British summers have been wet and cold.
As a result, whilst travel has been limited around Europe, holiday bookings have seen a surge.
Even this year, when the UK basked in a heat wave, bookings were still high during the summer months, even late availability, and in particular around Easter and May time when the weather was exceptionally bad.
So looking to the year ahead, where do travel companies believe will be the most popular in 2014? Well, despite the political unrest, Egypt has already been taking bookings.
Turkey remains popular, as it boast great value for money prices on outstanding hotels; plus with the guarantee of glorious weather.
Tenerife remains a popular choice both for families and couples; making it the most popular of all the Canary Isles.
And value for money Bulgaria is enjoying a surge in popularity as every penny counts with UK tourists and amazing deals on 5* hotels are currently available.
Malaga and Spain's Costas remain popular, with sunshine and short flight times making it great for long weekend breaks and weeks away.
Despite Greece's economic hardships two years ago, UK travellers have not been put off.
Equally, Cyprus, which experienced money worries earlier this year, remains hugely popular.
However, for the most part these are difficult to actually take advantage of for a number of reasons.
Firstly, many of us have only just returned from a summer holiday and the expense of laying down a deposit for next year's can prove tight and the commitment of a holiday costing thousands a little overwhelming.
What's more, 'children go free' places are available but often not on your hotel of choice.
According to the National Office of Statistics, 2013 saw fewer UK travellers jetting off - the recession is still hitting UK households hard.
But it's not all doom and gloom, as many people view a holiday as something that can't be given up.
This year, long haul travel, in particular, to North America, saw a decline.
Yet, short haul travel across Europe increased, with around 44.
4 million of us getting away.
European destinations such as Malaga continue to top the polls as the most popular get-away destination from most UK airports, whereby the weather is good, prices are reasonable and individual or tour operator travel has been affordable.
As a result, travel trends for 2014 are expected to mirror activity in 2013 - holidaymakers will avoid expensive long haul options and instead holiday in Europe.
A few years ago, Mintel predicted that holiday travel wouldn't return to pre-recession levels until 2014/15.
However, since that prediction, British summers have been wet and cold.
As a result, whilst travel has been limited around Europe, holiday bookings have seen a surge.
Even this year, when the UK basked in a heat wave, bookings were still high during the summer months, even late availability, and in particular around Easter and May time when the weather was exceptionally bad.
So looking to the year ahead, where do travel companies believe will be the most popular in 2014? Well, despite the political unrest, Egypt has already been taking bookings.
Turkey remains popular, as it boast great value for money prices on outstanding hotels; plus with the guarantee of glorious weather.
Tenerife remains a popular choice both for families and couples; making it the most popular of all the Canary Isles.
And value for money Bulgaria is enjoying a surge in popularity as every penny counts with UK tourists and amazing deals on 5* hotels are currently available.
Malaga and Spain's Costas remain popular, with sunshine and short flight times making it great for long weekend breaks and weeks away.
Despite Greece's economic hardships two years ago, UK travellers have not been put off.
Equally, Cyprus, which experienced money worries earlier this year, remains hugely popular.
Source...