Next week is half term for the majority of schools across the UK, and many of us are making our annual dash for some-end-of-summer sun or, at the very least, an escape from the grey skies rolling in off the English coast. We decided to have a look at where we are searching for our holidays this October and found that there has been quite a shift in destination popularity over the last 12 months.
What’s changed?
Spain has long been our go-to destination for the Autumn break but as the Euro loses power we seem to be turning our backs on Spain; either because we can’t get as much for the Pound as we used to or because, with things being a bit unsure at the moment, more of us a are taking a risk and looking further afield. Dubai has surged from fourth place to the top of the list as our most searched-for half term destination. The popularity of New York has also spiked, climbing the list from sixth to second place; on many travellers’ wish list it seems that many of us are taking the NY plunge this year. Although Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria were the three most searched-for holiday destinations for last year’s holiday, their popularity has fallen dramatically. This is likely due to Brexit and the weakening pound, with Brits believing they will get less for their money at these destinations.
And how has that affected things on the continent?
The good news for those of us as yet undecided is that as flight searches decrease in previously popular destinations so does the cost of package deals. Although Tenerife has fallen from the top of our list to third place, the cost of a trip to Tenerife has fallen by an average of 10%. This trend is also seen in Benidorm where a holiday costs about 15% less than it did last year, and Lanzarote with a 7% drop. Although not featuring in the top ten other popular destinations are following suit. Antalya, Turkey, shows a massive reduction of 37%, from £503 to £315 on average, and Paris, the City of Love, has fallen by over a third from £266 to £176. If you haven’t yet booked a holiday and are thinking about the wallet, a trip to one of the old-faithfuls might be just what you need.
Why Dubai?
With New York’s year-round charm and Dubai’s weather (generally in the low thirties) and the extraordinary clash of old and new, it comes as little surprise that these cities have become so hugely popular. But maybe more than Manhattan, camel racing, hot-dog vendors, or indoor ski-slopes it is the uncertainty of the Pound and the need for a change of scene from post-Brexit Britain that is making us look further afield.
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Note to editors:
All data is based on packages searches made on KAYAK.co.uk between 01.01.2016-30.09.2016 for travel between 21.10.2016-30.10.2016 (October half term 2016) and 01.01.2015-30.09.2015 for travel between 23.10.2015-30.11.2015 (October half term 2015). All price indicators are based on the average price for a week’s package holiday. Prices are subject to change, may vary or are no longer available anymore. Savings are not guaranteed.
