Spain & Greece holidays ‘top’ for August – Turkey, Italy & Portugal ‘more likely’ in July

Holidays: Michael O'Leary ‘optimistic’ for summer travel

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters.Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer.Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights.You can unsubscribe at any time.

Foreign holidays could restart from May 17 if Covid data “satisfies” the Governments tests. Despite the lack of certainty, Britons are already racing to get booked up on their next overseas jaunt.

Travel booking platform Skyscanner has reported a “surge of bookings” following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of the “roadmap” out of lockdown.

According to the experts, there are some key destinations Britons are setting their sights on.

Spain and Greece are both popular holiday hotspots for British travellers seeking sun, sea and sand.

On average Spain attracts 18 million UK tourists every year, meanwhile, Greece welcomes around 3.5 million.

Though the two have proven popular for 2021, it seems holidaymakers are hedging their bets on a holiday to Spain and Greece later in the year.

Both destinations are at their peak in August.

“Spain is the top destination booked by UK travellers since the announcement was made, with the most popular outbound date being August,” said a Skyscanner spokesperson.

“Most trips will be a week or less in length, and the top destinations in Spain are Malaga, Palma and Ibiza.”

DON’T MISS
Cruise holidays: When will cruises start again? Latest FCDO advice [ADVICE]
Camping holidays: ‘Thousands of campsites’ unable to open in April [INSIGHT]
Pound to euro exchange rate plummets amid ‘awful time’ [DATA]

There could also be some savings to be had.

According to Skyscanner prices are currently as much as 25 percent lower during summer 2021 than in the year previous.

Greece has also shone through as a summer 2021 hotspot.

“Most bookings made since the announcement are for trips departing in August,” explained the Skyscanner expert.

“Greece was named a hotspot for 2021 in Skyscanner’s 2021 Destinations campaign in December 2020.”

Average prices are reported to be up to 11 percent lower than in 2019.

Meanwhile, Britons looking to get away even sooner appear to be focussing their attention on some other destinations.

According to the experts, it seems holiday hopefuls believe Turkey, Portugal and Italy are “more likely” to go ahead first, with most booking surging for these destinations in July.

“Most trips to Turkey are being organised for July, with an average of 2.9 passengers per booking indicating most bookings are for families and groups,” explained the spokesperson.

“Long trips to Turkey are common, with 76 percent of bookings for trips longer than a week.”

Despite the destination’s popularity in 2020, it seems prices are currently 27 percent lower than in 2020 and 31 percent lower than in 2019.

Italy and Portugal are seeing similar interest for July, with prices also down.

“The most popular time for holidays to Italy in summer 2021 is July, with an average of 2.2 passengers per booking indicating couples or two friends are looking for an Italian escape,” said the expert.

“Summer prices are also attractive compared to last year, up to 27 percent lower than the 2020 average and 23 percent lower than in 2019.”

Meanwhile, though Portugal is currently on the UK’s “high risk” list resulting in mandatory hotel quarantine, the nation has retained “its popularity with travellers”.

“Holidaymakers looking to bag a deal Portugal could be the best bet with prices up to 34 percent cheaper than summer 2020, and 23 percent lower than 2019.”

Source: Read Full Article