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22 November 2016 07:47
Winter holiday bookings up 16% year-on-year
Winter sun is now the most popular holiday type, according to new research conducted by travel experts.
Almost a third of people (29%) plan to take a break this winter, with bookings up 16% year-on-year, the Abta figures reveal.
However, 45% of the 1,962 consumers questioned admit they will not be taking a winter holiday this year and 27% are unsure as to whether they would.
Winter breaks popular among young people
People aged 25-34 are most likely to be taking a winter holiday, with 36% planning to do so, followed closely by people aged over 65 (33%).
Of those planning a winter holiday, winter sun is the most popular holiday option, with almost a third (31%) choosing this type of trip, followed by city breaks and UK breaks.
Tourists avoiding Tunisia and Egypt
Winter bookings appear to be following a broadly similar pattern to the summer, when a drop in bookings to destinations like Tunisia and Egypt, following high profile terrorist incidents and changes to Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice.
Bookings to the most popular winter holiday destination, Spain, are up 33% year-on-year, while Portugal is up 41% and Cyprus 34%, according to GfK's Travel Leisure Monitor.
Bookings to the Caribbean are by up 21% and Asia 17% while Abta members have also reported strong sales to Cape Verde.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said: "It is very encouraging that bookings for the winter season are looking strong.
"With such a wide range of holiday options available in the winter months, from winter sun to city and ski breaks, it is not surprising that so many people are planning a winter break."
Tourists should take out travel insurance before going abroad for a winter holiday.
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