In the grip of a January deep freeze, not only are we dreaming of sun, sand and adventure, it seems we are actually doing something about it – and booking more holidays than ever. The first month of the year has always been popular to book well-deserved getaways, but record numbers of people have looked to book a getaway in the past fortnight, according to Britain’s largest tour operator Jet2holidays.
Bookings have surged by 150 per cent compared to last month, with both summer trips and last-minute bookings for a winter holiday the most popular.
Online searches for holidays over the past month have exceeded the number made this time last year by 22 per cent, says flight price comparison website Skyscanner.
And in a surprising new trend, would-be holidaymakers have an open mind for their 2024 travels rather than a specific destination they would like to visit.
Eager sunseekers are opting to search for flights to ‘everywhere’ instead of naming a destination on Skyscanner. This shows them the cheapest destinations for the dates they would like to travel. These searches have spiked 73 per cent year-on-year.
Well-earned break: Online searches for holidays over the past month have exceeded the number made this time last year by 22 per cent
Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, says he expects even more people to book this weekend.
Laura Lindsay, trends and destination expert at Skyscanner, says value for money is still the main priority for travellers, with the cost of the hotel and flight being the biggest factors determining where they travel.
But more than a quarter of UK travellers have budgeted to spend more on travel in 2024 compared to 2023, Lindsay says. ‘Those who book in advance, know how to shop around and remain flexible on times and destinations will bag the best prices,’ she says.
While most prices continue to rise, there are some destinations that will be cheaper to travel to in 2024. Economy class flights to Faro in Portugal were 24 per cent cheaper in 2023 than the previous year, and pricing experts at Skyscanner expect these discounts to remain.
Similarly, anyone planning a Mediterranean getaway can fly to Nice in France for 19 per cent less than in the previous year.
Further afield, you should be able to fly to Dalaman, home to the Turquoise Coast in Turkey, 13 per cent cheaper this year. The region is known for its unspoilt beaches, crystal-clear waters and mud spas.
Many countries across Asia offer cheaper holidays this year, as the local tourism industries are keen to attract visitors back after the lull of the pandemic.
An expert at luxury tour operator Wendy Wu says the cost of hotels and experiences are down by roughly a third this year in India and China as a result. He says: ‘The world is fully open to travel again now but a lot of these countries suffered with the pandemic. They are eager to get visitors back and that is translating into cheaper prices. There are some great bargains to be had for long-haul destinations.’
Wendy Wu’s 14-day fully inclusive tour Inspiring India departing on October 4 costs £3,190 per person. The same departure last year cost £3,600 per person. The travel operator is running its largest ever promotion this month in a bid to attract holidaymakers. Its ‘Partner Flies Free’ promotion offers one set of complimentary flights. With this deal, the tour of India costs just £2,690 per person – 25 per cent cheaper than last year. Similarly, the cost of travelling to and around China has fallen in recent months.
The Wendy Wu spokesman says: ‘If there’s just one destination to have on your radar for 2024, it should be China in terms of both pricing and experience. Prices will be cheaper this year because accommodation providers are really hungry to get people back again so they are pulling out all the stops.’
Osaka, the food capital of Japan, will be one of the most popular luxury destinations in 2024, according to Skyscanner. Searches for flights to the city have jumped 231 per cent this year. Round-trip prices range from £465 to £816 depending on the time of year you choose to visit.
The ‘sakura’ – which means cherry blossom – in spring has long been one of the key attractions for tourists visiting Japan. It is so important that the country’s meteorological office publishes official forecasts for the first blooms.
Osaka is set to see its first flowers around March 25, with full bloom coinciding with Kyoto on April 1. The good news is that March is the cheapest month to travel to the city from the UK, at an average return price of £465, Skyscanner says. Avoid travelling in August or September when prices hit their peak.
Bargains: Holidays to Turkey and India are set to be cheaper
Closer to home, Vigo, in the picturesque Galicia region of Northern Spain, has surged in popularity this year and will trend as a luxury destination, according to Skyscanner.
Searches for flights to the fishing port city have surged 1,235 per cent this year, with tourists attracted by its ancient Roman ruins and nearby islands. Prices range from £58 to £102 over the summer months, with August the most expensive.
Adventurous travellers have this year set their sights on Chiang Mai, in mountainous northern Thailand, with searches rising 221 per cent. Flights are at their cheapest in March and May, at £506 return, when the country is sunny. Prices peak in August at £737 when Thailand experiences its rainy season.
When browsing, it’s easy to get drawn into imagining yourself travelling to the destinations. But don’t book anything in a rush. Many holiday providers pile on pressure with messages like ‘hurry, book now’ or warning of ‘time-limited offers’. Consumer group Which? previously investigated these ‘hurry’ deals and found in more than half of cases, the price was the same – or even cheaper – after the sale had ended.
One common mistake made by eager holiday planners is to leave booking travel insurance until the last minute. But don’t forget that you need the policy in place from the day you book, not just during the holidays itself. This ensures you are covered if any unexpected illnesses or problems arise that could prevent you from travelling.
Consumer group Which? suggests a policy with at least £5 million emergency cover plus £2,000 (or the value of your trip) for cancellation, curtailment and missed departure.
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