British travellers seek safe, familiar & cheap holidays

The latest data from the travel industry shows that British holidaymakers are returning to traditionally popular destinations in the Mediterranean as a result of unrest in the Middle East and financial constraints in the current economic climate. This trend is also being driven by the disappointing summer weather in the UK, which is putting a dampener on the drift towards ‘staycations’.

There has been a sharp increase in last-minute bookings to destinations like Ayia Napa, Malta and the Canaries compared with recent years, indicating that Brits are seeking safe, familiar locations that offer good value for money. There has also been a surge in bookings for adventure holidays and tours.

By contrast, the tourism industry in destinations such as Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia is suffering, with 80% of hotel rooms lying empty and airlines reallocating flights to elsewhere.

2011 started slowly for the British travel sector, with the royal wedding and excellent weather persuading many people to stay at home during the Easter period. In June, nearly half of the UK’s travellers had yet to book their holidays, but in the last few weeks, there has been a major rush with people eager to snap up last minute deals. This is a reflection of the tightened budgets people are working with at the moment – many are waiting as long as possible to get the best cheap holidays on offer.