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Traditional package holidays see ‘unexpected renaissance’
The package holiday is enjoying a renaissance and holiday destinations that were popular in the 1990s are making a comeback, new statistics reveal.
According to data released by lastminute.com, bookings of package holidays surged 28% in the UK in 2017 compared to 2016, and this trend has continued into 2018, with package holiday bookings growing a rapid 38% in January and February compared to last year.
Lastminute.com also says traditionally popular resorts are making a comeback, with the success of TV shows such as Benidorm and Celebrity Love Island fuelling interest in nostalgic beach destinations.
The top-10 most popular destinations this summer, according to lastminute.com booking statistics are:
Benidorm (Spain)
Albufeira (Portugal)
Nice (France)
Magaluf (Majorca)
San Antonio de Portmany (Ibiza)
Playa Blanca (Lanzarote)
Alcudia (Majorca)
Torremolinos (Spain)
Puerto de la Cruz (Tenerife)
Palmanova (Majorca)
Lastminute.com celebrates its 20th birthday in September and country director Reigo Elias said booking destinations online was ‘very much a novelty’ when the company set up back in 1998.
He said: "For many people, the term package holiday evokes a bygone era of prescriptive – and dull – holidaymaking.
"The package holiday of 2018 is all about customers picking the perfect holiday components for them by allowing them to package up their choice of flight or train with car and hotel to fit the times and places they want to visit, creating the ultimate flexibility to meet the needs of savvy holidaymakers.
"The fact they can take control over their holidays gives everyone the chance to have personalised experiences, be financially protected and save money in the process."
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Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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