Record numbers to travel abroad for Christmas/New Year
A record 3.5 million people will be travelling abroad over Christmas and New Year, starting today (Friday), ABTA estimates.
Saturday will be the busiest day for travel but December 30 will come a close second as people head off for New Year’s Eve, according to ABTA.
The Canary Islands, Egypt and Goa top the winter sun list while Dubai is attracting people with its good shopping facilities.
Strong early snow conditions in Europe have helped France, Austria and Italy sell well while more adventurous snow sports enthusiasts are heading to the US and Canada to make the most of the weak dollar.
Many are taking city breaks, especially over the New Year, with Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin and New York topping the list.
BAA estimate that 2.7 million people will be leaving through its seven airports, which include Heathrow 1.2 million, Gatwick 600,000, Stansted 360,000, Southampton 25,000 and the main Scottish airports, Glasgow 110,000, Edinburgh 110,000 and Aberdeen 42,000.
An additional 270,000 will fly from Manchester, 170,000 from Luton and 130,000 from Birmingham.
More than 200,000 will travel over or under the English Channel with over 150,000 on Eurostar.
ABTA president Justin Fleming said: “This is always a peak time for travel as people make the most of the bank holidays and once again there are a record number travelling.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt