Overview
ABTA, the Travel Association, predicts that over two million British travelers are preparing to go abroad this upcoming weekend, marking the start of the summer holidays for UK schools.
Popular Destinations
Spain continues to be the favored choice for families, particularly regions like the Costa Brava, Costa del Sol, Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands. Additionally, there is a notable demand for vacations in Greece, Portugal, Turkey, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Italy, Malta, Morocco, and Cape Verde.
City excursions are also trending, with destinations such as Amsterdam, Dubai, Dublin, Budapest, Barcelona, and Lisbon receiving significant attention.
Travel Predictions
Airports in the southeastern regions of the UK are preparing for a hectic weekend, expecting a significant number of departures from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton airports. Manchester Airport anticipates around 220,000 travelers, while Birmingham and other Scottish airports will also likely experience a busy time.
Remarks from ABTA’s Chief Executive
Mark Tanzer stated: “This weekend will be one of the busiest for travel with many more families in the UK heading off overseas for a well-deserved summer break, either spending quality time together on a relaxing beach holiday or having fun on a cultural city break.”
He recommends several measures to ensure a seamless travel experience, including timely arrival at departure points and checking the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website for updates regarding travel advice.
ABTA’s Travel Checklist
To help travelers prepare, ABTA has released a travel checklist including:
- Check for the latest FCDO advice.
- Ensure your passport is valid.
- Obtain comprehensive travel insurance.
- Apply for a GHIC.
- Understand the rules for traveling to the EU.
- Adhere to airport security regulations.
- Prepare your travel funds.
- Prioritize safety while traveling.
