Regional flights boost Christmas destinations

Monday, 11 Nov, 2005 0

New York has emerged as the best value Christmas shopping destination for the fourth consecutive year.

The city came top in American Express Travel’s annual survey of prices in Europe and the US.

The poll of the agency chain’s leisure travel offices nationwide to establish pre-Christmas shopping trips trends showed that holidaymakers are leaving it later to book shopping breaks.

And they are picking North American destinations – New York, Boston and Toronto – in preference to most European cities.

Prague is the notable exception, thanks to the expansion of low cost airline routes, while Dubai continues to be popular.

American Express Travel vice president Europe Katrina Harrison said the impact of regional departures cannot be underestimated for the shopping break market.

“When people have only two or three days to spend on a shopping trip abroad, the convenience of a local direct flight is bound to play an important part – and this explains the continuing buoyancy of New York and the growth for both Prague and Dubai, destinations known to be good value.

“Holidaymakers who can travel midweek can also pick up good deals on hotel rates in New York and Boston.”

*Amex Travel Top 10 Christmas Shopping Destinations (Figures in brackets denote 2004 rankings)

1.. New York (1)

2.. Boston (2)

3.. Dubai (7)

4.. Prague (5)

5.. Munich (3)

6.. London (6)

7.. Paris (4)

8.. Barcelona (9)

9.. Vienna (8)

10. Toronto (10)

Report by Phil Davies

Phil Davies

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