Regional flights boost Christmas destinations
New York has emerged as the best value Christmas shopping destination for the fourth consecutive year.
The city came top in American Express Travel’s annual survey of prices in Europe and the US.
The poll of the agency chain’s leisure travel offices nationwide to establish pre-Christmas shopping trips trends showed that holidaymakers are leaving it later to book shopping breaks.
And they are picking North American destinations – New York, Boston and Toronto – in preference to most European cities.
Prague is the notable exception, thanks to the expansion of low cost airline routes, while Dubai continues to be popular.
American Express Travel vice president Europe Katrina Harrison said the impact of regional departures cannot be underestimated for the shopping break market.
“When people have only two or three days to spend on a shopping trip abroad, the convenience of a local direct flight is bound to play an important part – and this explains the continuing buoyancy of New York and the growth for both Prague and Dubai, destinations known to be good value.
“Holidaymakers who can travel midweek can also pick up good deals on hotel rates in New York and Boston.”
*Amex Travel Top 10 Christmas Shopping Destinations (Figures in brackets denote 2004 rankings)
1.. New York (1)
2.. Boston (2)
3.. Dubai (7)
4.. Prague (5)
5.. Munich (3)
6.. London (6)
7.. Paris (4)
8.. Barcelona (9)
9.. Vienna (8)
10. Toronto (10)
Report 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 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Skyscanner reveals major travel trends 2026 at ITB Asia
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists