British travellers are favouring long haul destinations when booking summer holidays in 2010.
The Independent reports that long haul destinations are dominating the list of the top 10 holiday destinations being pre-booked for next year. This contrasts with the 2009 list that demonstrated a preference for shorter flights among UK holidaymakers.
According to ebookers.com, this is partly due to the surge of interest in holidays in South Africa over the World Cup period in July, with flights to Cape Town being one of the most popular bookings, but travellers are also seeking summer sun in other previously overlooked destinations.
The travel site’s top 10 bookings for flight and hotel packages in 2010 also included Dubai, Rome and Venice, as well as popular United States destinations such as Las Vegas, Miami, New York and Orlando in Florida.
Ben Reynolds, head of marketing at ebookers.com, explained: “The new list reveals that people are still visiting old favourites such as New York and Rome, but that travellers are keen to head further afield to the cultural hotspot of Istanbul and the sun-kissed beaches of the States.
“With England making it through to the World Cup we knew there would be an increase in flights heading to South Africa.
“But what the current 2010 bookings data shows is that people are waiting until nearer the event to book hotel accommodation – which could leave thousands of football fans short of somewhere to sleep.”
