Cheapflights predicts a bumper May getaway with demand for Bank Holiday travel up 102 per cent (early) and 125 per cent (Spring Break). Travellers resilient to recent threats with both paris and Brussels featuring in top 10 Bank Holiday destinations for regional travel.
The Great British Getaway this May is most definitely ON, as searches for flights are up by 102 per cent for the first Bank Holiday weekend (29 April-2 May) and 125 per cent for the second (27-30 May) – compared to a non-holiday weekend – according to an analysis of Brits top trends for Bank Holiday breaks conducted by Cheapflights.co.uk, the global flight search specialist.
Brussels bounce back
“It’s heartening to see Brussels and Paris feature in several top tens for the bank holiday weekend,” said Phil Bloomfield, travel expert at Cheapflights. “Both cities have endured turbulent events recently, but Brits clearly haven’t been deterred.”
‘DAM’ Proud of Dutch – Amsterdam Takes a Top Spot
Amsterdam is the UK’s number one searched for getaway for both weekends combined. The city also tops searches for Birmingham, Newcastle and London. Amsterdam has received the accolade of being one of the world’s best value cities according to Mercers, and with average flight prices from as little as £62.90pp from London airports, the Dutch capital is sure to impress those on a budget seeking everything from high art to canal-side coffee.
Southerners Splash the Cash, Northenerners Languish Locally
Those travelling from London and Manchester hubs are the most likely to head long haul at the end of May, with searches from London to New York up 143 per cent for the Spring Break holiday, and up 61 per cent from Manchester. When looking at regional differences, Cheapflights’ findings reveal that holidaymakers from London and Manchester are prepared to travel further for their bank holiday break, with New York making the top 10 for both cities.
Scottish travellers are due to seek some sun in tried and trusted Spanish cities, but also explore the English and Irish capitals. The greatest spike in flight searches from Scotland for the first bank holiday weekend is for Palma de Mallorca, seeing a rise of 416 per cent, with the second weekend marking a 190 per cent increase in searches for Madrid.
Bloomfield said: “Despite reported over capacity in Spanish resorts it appears many Britons are still looking to head to the Spanish cities and resorts for a few days in May. However, Amsterdam, Dublin, Prague and Rome remain firm favourites.”
Bloomfield concluded: “Regionally, we find some surprises such as Dusseldorf as the fifth most popular bank holiday destination for those flying from Newcastle, whilst Malta makes the top 10 for travellers departing from Leeds-Bradford airport, so perhaps Yorkshire travellers have a special love for Game of Thrones which launches its sixth season next week.”
Cheapflights’ Top 10 destinations for the May bank holiday weekends, based on searches between 1 May 2015 and 15 March 2016 for travel; departing between 28 April and 3 May and returning between 2 and 3 May 2016 and again departing between 26 and 28 May and returning between 30 May and 1 June 2016.
Cheapflights Top 10 Destinations
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
