Spain and Greece top consumers’ post-lockdown holiday list

A survey of 2,000 adults by the UK’s largest operator Tui found that 70% of holidaymakers would “appreciate it more” when they finally get to travel again after the Covid-19 pandemic crisis.

Long-haul destinations also feature strongly on Tui’s Lockdown Holiday list with Florida in fourth place, followed by the Caribbean in fifth and Mexico (8^th), Thailand (9^th) and Dubai (10^th).

Other short-haul options in the top 10 are Croatia (6^th) and Turkey (7^th).

Tui also reports that all-inclusive holidays are “performing well”, according to search results on its online platforms, while there have been “noteable increases” in self-catering and villa holidays.

The tour operator adds that May and June 2021 are currently the most popular travel months, with Greece, Turkey and Florida the most booked destinations. Egypt and Cape Verde are also proving popular for winter-sun breaks.

The Tui survey found that sightseeing was the top activity British holidaymakers are most looking forward to (41%), followed by eating authentic local cuisine (30%), swimming in the sea (27%) and watching a “stunning” sunset (26%).

City breaks are the most popular type of holiday that Brits want to book post-lockdown at 30%, followed by beach getaways, while 16% plan to book a “five-star” luxury break.

Lockdown may also affect who people choose to go on holiday with – 20% say they are more likely to go on a trip with family and friends who they have not been able to see over the past few months.

Not being able to go on holiday was also one of the top three things people have been missing (38%) – ranking behind seeing friends and family (75%) and eating out (47%).

Around half of consumers (45%) are hoping to take a holiday before summer 2021, while 15% want to get away “as soon as possible” and 16% by this winter.

Tui has also created an online ‘Lockdown Holiday List’ finder to give people ideas of where to travel on their next trip. These recommendations will be based on a quiz about their personal holiday preferences including food, travel and lockdown activities.