Brits Abroad... Most popular Summer 2011 Destinations

Summer’s here and for most of us we are thinking about jetting off on our holidays. So where are the most popular hotspots for Summer 2011 holidays this year?

Well, according to the collective findings of its browsers and customers of Skyscanner, a website flight comparison site, the summer trends this year for Brits aboard seems to have re-jiggled itself a bit. However, yet again, Spain finds itself at the top spot!

No surprises here. Spain continues to be the most popular destination for UK holiday makers year-on-year; with its great mix of fabulous weather, good prices and short flight times. What’s more, there’s a huge choice; whether you’re a package holiday maker or an independent traveller. All the major airlines, budget and scheduled services alike, operate daily services out of most of the UK’s airports.

This year however, other destinations are showing signs of increasing popularity. Take for example Italy – experiencing a real surge in UK holiday makers. In previous years Italy has ranked fifth in the most popular places for holiday makers to travel to. This year however it has come in as the third most popular, just behind the USA which is, as usual, in second place. Ranking third means it has overtaken even France, usually a firm favourite with us Brits. And even Turkey, that has ranked very high in previous years, partly because it is outside of the Euro zone, moves down to fourth place.

Equally, Greece is showing a lot more interest this year than previous years. Greece has suffered in the last few years due to the country’s civil unrest back in 2010 and the economy was struggling. Now, in terms of popularity Greece comes out sixth.

This Year’s Top 10 Holiday Destinations for UK Holiday Makers

1. Spain
2. USA
3. Italy
4. Turkey
5. France
6. Greece
7. Portugal
8. Cyprus
9. UK
10.Croatia

Luxury Beach Travel Falls Out of Top 100
It seems also that high end beach destinations are suffering. Far away shores have suffered, some believe down to the controversial Air Passenger Duty tax (APD), seeing luxury beach holidays in Antigua, Barbuda, Mauritius and the Seychelles fall out of the top 100 altogether!

‘Out of the Norm’ Destinations Rising Up the Top 100
Interestingly, other ‘out of the norm’ countries are seeing a boost in popularity also. Take for example Bangladesh, moving up 15 places, taking it to number 81 in the top 100 places to visit this year. Likewise, Cape Verde’s recent tourism media campaign seems to have worked, with the country moving up 13 places to 78 And taking of media, following the BBC documentary about Madagascar the country has risen 11 places, talking it to 86. Another country to benefit from a marketing campaign has been Serbia, rising 11 places to number 40.

Michelle Blackmore is an experienced traveller and contributor to the Gatwick meet and greet parking website site Help Me Park. For the best deals customers should book their Gatwick meet and greet parking online.