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Bulgaria tops ’07 emerging destination list
Bulgaria is the top emerging destination of 2007, according to Opodo.
The online travel company has released a Top 10 ‘up and coming’ travel places for next year:
1) Bulgaria
2) Russia
3) Morocco
4) Cuba
5) Australia
6) Brazil
7) India
8) Dubai
9) China
10) South Africa
Opodo’s UK country manager Neil Mott said: “2006 has seen a strong rise in travel to Eastern European countries since whilst being accessible, they still hold a certain ‘mystique’ for the traveller.
“Bookings to Bulgaria have risen by 40% in the last six months and with the prospect of joining the EU in January ’07, we expect to see a significant increase in the number of tourists heading there to take advantage of the Euro.
“Russia will also continue to grow in popularity for those looking for their next Eastern European adventure, an insight which is apparent from the 24% increase in bookings so far this year.”
“Morocco will also become one of the biggest tourist hotspots of 2007. Flight prices have dropped dramatically and the country is much more accessible than before. It’s a reasonably short flight and the country is so vastly different that tourists can quickly immerse themselves in another culture. The stunning hotels and quick flight, mean that the country is now appealing to the cash rich and time poor.”
Opodo predicted “fierce competition” between airlines to Australia once the Airbus A380 ‘superjumbo’ takes to the skies.
“This will naturally bring prices down and make Australia a more accessible holiday destination,” the online travel company said.
“Brazil has also seen some great publicity recently through its high-profile sporting hero’s and the northern parts of Brazil still remain undiscovered and unspoilt, qualities that intrepid travellers are searching for.”
Opodo also predicts that bookings to India will increase as flight capacity grows and airlines offer lower prices. The country will become popular as both a holiday and short break destination, as will Dubai.
Anticipation of the 2008 Olympics will draw tourists to China, while the impending 2010 FIFA World Cup will lead to higher awareness of South Africa, enhanced further by a particularly strong sterling against the Rand.
Report by Phil Davies
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