Travel search site Skyscanner reveals the most popular destinations that Brits are heading to for New Year. The data, based on user flight searches on the Skyscanner site, threw up an intriguing mix of locations in sunny, city and even snowy destinations that Brits are travelling to for their New Year celebrations. In the number one position, New York topped the bill as the most searched for destination – and was the only city outside of Europe to feature in the top ten. The big apple has long been one of…
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Travel search site Skyscanner reveals the most popular destinations that Brits are heading to for New Year. The data, based on user flight searches on the Skyscanner site, threw up an intriguing mix of locations in sunny, city and even snowy destinations that Brits are travelling to for their New Year celebrations.
In the number one position, New York topped the bill as the most searched for destination – and was the only city outside of Europe to feature in the top ten. The big apple has long been one of the most famous places to see in the New Year, and the weakening US dollar may help explain its popularity.
In second place was Tenerife, a long time favourite for Brits seeking escape from the UK’s winter gloom. Paris and Amsterdam ranked 3rd and 4th; London came in 5th, suggesting many British revellers will be ringing in the New Year on home turf – or that they are using London as a connecting hub for onward travel.
Alicante and Malaga, also favourites of British holidaymakers, appeared in 6th and 7th, making Spain the most popular country for Brits to celebrate New Year in overall.
Edinburgh (home of Skyscanner) ranked 8th, suggesting that Hogmanay in the Scottish capital is still a big New Year destination for many in the UK.
Ranking 9th was Geneva, the massively popular ski hub, suggesting that a large proportion of Brits will be seeing in the New Year at one of the dozens of French or Swiss ski resorts that lie within 2 hours of the city.
And at number 10 was Irish capital Dublin, which is well known for its New Year’s craic, drawing thousands of Brits each year.
Top 20 New Year Destinations from UK Airports
1. New York (USA)
2. Tenerife (Spain)
3. Paris (France)
4. Amsterdam (Netherlands)
5. London (UK)
6. Alicante (Spain)
7. Malaga (Spain)
8. Edinburgh (UK)
9. Geneva (Switzerland)
10. Dublin (Ireland)
11. Berlin (Germany)
12. Barcelona (Spain)
13. Bangkok (Thailand)
14. Prague (Czech Republic)
15. Lanzarote (Spain)
16. Belfast (UK)
17. Faro (Portugal)
18. Rome (Italy)
19. Madrid (Spain)
20. Glasgow (UK)
Ranking based on flight searches on Skyscanner from UK airports for travel over the New Year Period 09/10.
New York (USA) – Times Square is the place to be in the Big Apple if you really want to experience the festive throng and the famed “ball drop”. Be prepared to make new friends from around the world and enjoy the charged atmosphere as the countdown begins. New York at New Year can be chilly, so wrap up warm and don comfortable clothing. Find cheap flights to New York.
Tenerife (Spain) – the fact the Tenerife is still a warm 18 degrees C in mid-winter is probably why it attracts so many Brits for New Year. The church square in Los Cristianos hosts thousands of revellers waiting to pop their bottles of Cava – and like everywhere else, you’ll be able to join the locals “oohing” and “aahing” over the spectacular firework display. Find cheap flights to Tenerife.
Paris (France) – regarded as one of the most colourful and exciting places to celebrate New Year, Parisians toast the nouvelle annee with flutes of Champagne and papillottes – small chocolates which pop like firecrackers when opened. Head to the Champs-Elysees from where you’ll be able to soak up the seasonal atmosphere and get a good view of the Eiffel Tower which explodes with light when the clock strikes twelve. Find cheap fights to Paris.
Amsterdam (Netherlands) – a year round city of pleasure, it’s little wonder that the Dutch capital draws thousands of Brits for New Year. Known as Oudjaarsavond – meaning Old Year’s Eve – throngs of people will head to the famous streets such as Dam Square and Rembrandtplein to welcome in 2010. The Dutch have a hands on approach to fireworks and you’ll find it all ‘going off’ in the streets – ear plugs and safety goggles are advised. Find cheap flights to Amsterdam.
London (England) – New Year revellers in the English capital enjoy a choice of bars, clubs and fireworks along the river Thames, at Alexandra Palace or one of the many other displays. Fans of 007 can get shaken (but not stirred) at the Bond Ball at Kensington Close Hotel, clubbers can dance till moon down at the Ministry of Sound party at The O2, and for family fun, head to one of several London ice rinks set up especially for the festive period. Find cheap flights to London.
Alicante (Spain) – another Spanish city long popular with Brits, locals tend to start off the Nochevieja celebrations with a huge family dinner at home, after which the younger members hit the town for the night. Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square) in El Barrio is the place to gather for the big midnight countdown, then check into one of numerous discotheques and party till Spanish sunrise. Find cheap flights to Alicante.
Malaga (Spain) – a long time favourite of Brits during the summer, Malaga continues to draw UK visitors in winter too. Though it couldn’t exactly be described as balmy on the 31st of December, an average temperature of around 16C means that New Year in Malaga is considerably warmer than in the UK. Grab your bottles of cerveza and take to the town centre to join the New Year festivities. Find cheap flights to Malaga.
Edinburgh (Scotland) – the Scottish capital’s Hogmanay party is one of the biggest New Year street parties in the UK. With live music performances across four different stages from major acts including Madness, The Enemy and Calvin Harris, and midnight firework displays from the city’s high places, Hogmanay in Edinburgh claims to offer the “World’s Biggest Auld Lang Syne”. Find cheap flights to Edinburgh.
Geneva (Switzerland) – its popularity as a ski hub is the reason this Swiss city ranks so high in the charts. With over 100 resorts less than a 2 hour drive away, thousands will be seeing in the New Year on the slopes of the Swiss and French Alps. There’s also plenty of celebrations in the city itself; highlights include the organ concert at St Pierre Cathedral, live music on the Promenade Saint-Antoine, plus a line-up of top DJs. Treasure hunts and circus acts will keep the children amused. Find cheap flights to Geneva.
Dublin (Ireland) – fuelled by fireworks, live music, street entertainment and copious amounts of Guinness, New Year in Dublin is full of craic. In Temple Bar, Dublin’s famed pub district, revellers will pour onto the streets to celebrate 2010 to the sound of firecrackers and cheers. If you’re not suffering too much, drag yourself out of bed to see the New Year’s Day Parade which hosts some fantastic marching bands from both Ireland and around the world. Find cheap flights to Dublin.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
