18 July 2008

Schools out ââ¬' so 2m head abroad on holiday

The summer holiday rush starts this weekend with ABTA predicting more than two million people will be travelling abroad.

The end of the summer term at most schools in England will trigger the rush away.

Research for ABTA shows that summer holiday bookings out of the UK were up one per cent at the end of June compared to the same time last year, despite the gloomy economic climate.

The biggest growth in bookings this year is for Egypt, which is up 28%, Turkey up 20% and the US up eight per cent. 

Growth is also being seen for France, Malta and the Caribbean.

Spain remains the number one overseas destination and has seen increased bookings for the Canary Islands, despite the strength of the euro against sterling.

ABTA reports a 20% rise in popularity of all-inclusive holidays, described as a great way to keep a lid on budgets.

ââ¬ÅâœThe fad for posh camping can also translate into economic expediency and camping and caravanning specialists have also reported rising popularity, both for the UK and in Europe,ââ¬~ ABTA said. 

Capacity cuts by major tour operators means there are less late deals available for the peak summer.

The summer escape will see 460,000 leaving from Heathrow, 260,000 Gatwick, 150,000 Stansted, 160,000 Manchester, 70,000 Birmingham and 150,000 from the main Scottish airports.

Hundreds of thousands will also be heading out through regional airports and over or under the channel.

ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said: ââ¬ÅâœWith a changing economic climate, many existing trends have become more pronounced.

ââ¬ÅâœSpain for example, is still the top destination this year, but as a mature destination, and with the strong euro, greater growth is being experienced in the mid to long haul destinations outside of the eurozone, which is where many ABTA members have concentrated new programmes.

ââ¬ÅâœConversely, there is no surprise that with the weak dollar, the US is doing well, and forward bookings for the US look strong.ââ¬~

by Phil Davies 

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