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New statistics reveal that for the first time in decades, a coastal city in Turkey has surpassed Tenerife as the number one destination for British tourists seeking winter sunshine.
The Canary Island, a well-liked destination in the north-west of Africa, has been ranked second in On the Beach’s annual Big Winter Sun Report, following the resort-filled capital of the Turkish Riveria, Antalya.
In the winter months, nearly 12 percent more people traveled to Antalya compared to the previous year, showing a significant increase of 33 percent.
The Spanish island of Lanzarote is ranked as the third most popular destination, closely following Tenerife. Coming in fourth place is Costa Blanca.
Hurghada, Egypt experienced a significant increase in popularity, rising to fifth place with a 53 percent growth compared to the previous season.
According to the online travel agency, there is a growing trend among British travelers to seek winter sunshine in destinations other than the Canaries.
Zoe Harris, the top customer executive at On the Beach, announced that Turkey has surpassed Tenerife as the leading winter vacation spot.
Over the past few years, there has been a significant rise in the number of tourists visiting Antalya and Dalaman. It appears that this trend has now fully evolved.
The rise in available flights to Turkey and Egypt, along with the increase in amazing all-inclusive hotel options, is the main cause for this shift, aided by the fact that both destinations have year-round sunshine.
According to Ms Harris, there is a significant rise in the popularity of long-distance destinations during this period, particularly for vacations to New York, Las Vegas, and Dubai.
The report emphasized that individuals are still scheduling vacations despite financial strains. Portugal was once again recognized as the most affordable destination for a holiday, with an estimated price of £394 for a seven-night, all-inclusive trip including airfare.
Top ten places to visit for a sunny winter getaway in 2024.
- Antalya, Turkey
- Tenerife, Canary Islands
- Lanzarote, Canary Islands
- Costa Blanca, Spain
- Hurghada, Egypt
- Mallorca, Balearic Islands
- Costa Del Sol, Spain
- Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
- Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
- Dalaman, Turkey
Source: independent.co.uk