Forget Brexit and the plunging pound, us plucky Brits are still going to take holidays.
Even the collapse of major holiday company lowcostholidays.com in the summer, terrorist attacks and the Zika virus haven’t put families off travelling, according to ABTA.
Victoria Bacon, director of the travel association, said at their annual conference in Abu Dhabi today: “Brits love their holidays and they won’t give them up easily.”
The highest number of people, 86%, took a holiday last year – 56% going abroad.
Cities beat beaches as a No1 holiday choice but we are getting more adventurous. Almost half of people surveyed said they were considering a new destination next year and more want an all-inclusive break.
Package holidays are booming especially among young people because they like everything taken care of.
And, probably surprisingly, the young like popping into a travel agent to book a holiday rather than doing it on their mobile or on-line.
Victoria Bacon said: “It is clear that many people value the advice, guidance and expertise offered by travel experts in-store.
“With younger people the most likely to book in-store, the future for travel experts on the high street looks bright.”
Hundreds of British travel agents have travelled to the Middle East for this year’s ABTA conference and the city is being showcased by its tourist chiefs.
Abu Dhabi has super swish hotels, sun-kissed beaches, waterparks and shopping malls to attract families.
It also has the fastest rollercoaster in the world, Formula Rossa at Ferrari World which hits speeds of 155mph.
F1 drivers will be in the city at the end of November for the Grand Prix on Yas Island. The best place to stay is the luxury hotel Yas Viceroy which is built over the track!
Etihad Holidays offers five nights B&B in a Marina Room at the five-star Yas Viceroy, on any available dates, including return flights from Heathrow with Etihad Airways from £765 per person. Upgrade to half-board if booking for May. See etihadholidays.co.uk
