Around 1.7 million Brits are expected to escape the cold weather with a trip abroad this Easter, while 2.7 million will holiday in the UK as the industry prepares for the Easter getaway.
ABTA said its members have seen a “substantial” increase in last minute bookings for those heading to warmer climes, while VisitEngland’s Trip Tracker survey found 4.9 million Brits were undecided about taking an overnight trip with 40% to make a booking based on the weather.
This was echoed by Travel Counsellors, which has seen bookings in the last three weeks for the Easter school holidays increase 18% year-on-year. Thomson also reported an increase in bookings, with its online sales to the Canary Islands, Greece and Tunisia up 73%, 45% and 37% respectively compared to last year, with its searches to sunnier destinations up 15% in March.
“We are seeing a strong demand for late deals with people looking to escape the extended winter, and get out of the gloom,” said Ian Chapman, director of holiday experience at Thomson.
Airports
From 28 March to 2 April 979,000 people are expected to fly from London airports, while 100,000 will depart from Scotland; 110,000 from Manchester and 45,000 from Birmingham.
British Airways said 98,000 passengers will fly with the airline on Good Friday with more than 450,000 people booked on its flights during the extended Easter period.
Rail
On the ground, Eurostar is expecting 60,000 to leave the UK during the weekend with Friday its busiest day, while Virgin Trains had already sold 100,000 tickets by early next week for the Easter weekend.
“After two wet summers and no end in sight to the winter many Brits are desperate for some sunshine. We’ve seen a surge in last minute bookings to warm destinations and ski lovers are also in for a treat with some of the best snow conditions seen for years. Bookings for city breaks have been strong for domestic holidaymakers,” added Mark Tanzer, chief executive at ABTA.
Where
Both Expedia and ABTA have said city breaks will be a likely holiday choice during the Easter break, with London, Paris, New York, Amsterdam, Rome and Edinburgh amongst some of the most popular.
Private jet firm PrivateFly said many of its bookings have come in for ski breaks in Europe, while bookings to Nice, Malta, Marrakech and Rio de Janiero completed its top five destinations for Easter.
VisitEngland’s survey also found 5.9 million Brits plan to make a day trip in England, just as Merlin Entertainments announced its first GBP1bn year of turnover.