Paris tops short breaks market

The tourists’ love affair with Paris is as strong as ever according to booking data released by two companies, who put it top of their short breaks destinations list for 2003. Short breaks specialist, Travelscene, and accommodation specialist, Wotif.com both put Paris as their top selling destinations for 2003. Dublin, Rome, Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Brussels were also in the top ten destinations for both companies. According to Wotif other destinations could enter the top ten in 2004. Florence in Italy, and San Sebastian and Bilbao in Spain will apparently be popular with online bookers this year. Wotif Europe and UK manager, Sally Osbourne said: “Spain is perennially popular, but this year we’ll see second tier destinations rivaling Madrid and Barcelona for Internet bookers’ business.” No-frills airlines have also played their part says Ms Osbourne: “Affordable flights and accommodation deals are ensuring destinations like these, once deemed too expensive, are now more freely available at the last-minute.” In the UK, Wotif says London secured the top spot, ahead of Manchester and Edinburgh. But according to Wotif, while London is likely to stay ahead, the rest of the rankings could change in 2004 following the emergence of Birmingham and Liverpool, recently appointed European Capital of Culture 2008.