Four million people are going abroad over Christmas and New Year between December 18 and January 2, says ABTA.
Peak travel days will be December 18, 23 and 30 – on the weekends either side of Christmas – and the travel association is advising customers to leave extra time to get to the airports as roads will be very busy. Also, to check in advance for any travel restrictions if using public transport.
Winter sun lovers are heading to the Canary Islands, Morocco and the Cape Verde Islands and for those flying long haul Dubai, Mexico and Cuba. Winter sports lovers are off to the continent with Switzerland, France, Austria and Italy the most popular destinations.
Favourite cities for New Year’s Eve breaks are Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, New York and Dublin and, in the UK, Edinburgh and London lead the way.
Millions of people will pass through major airports, 900,000 departing from Gatwick, 500,000 from Stansted, 255,000 from Luton, around 400,000 from Manchester, 205,000 from Birmingham and 600,000 from Heathrow alone in the week between December 19-25.
Tens of thousands of passengers will also leave the UK through Glasgow and Edinburgh airports as well as large numbers through other regional airports throughout the country.
Hundreds of thousands of people will also travel across the English Channel by ferry or through the Channel Tunnel with many heading off on the Eurostar who report that Friday, December 18 will be their busiest day, with Paris the most popular destination.
Many are also taking the opportunity to take a break in the UK staying in a country cottage or a seaside resorts and city breaks in London and York have also sold well as have breaks to Christmas markets around the country.
Mark Tanzer, ABTA Chief Executive, said: “Christmas and New Year is one of the busiest times of the year for travelling and holiday-taking and we will see large numbers heading off in the next few days.
“Hundreds of thousands will be flying off to visit friends and families but millions will also be heading overseas for winter sun or snow. Many will also be looking to welcome in the New Year in cities around the world which really know how to throw a party.”
