Holiday prices are falling: sun worshipers’ spending has soared and costs have fallen

In the grip of the January deep freeze, we’re not just dreaming of sun, sand and adventure, it seems we’re actually doing something about it – and booking more holidays than ever.

The first month of the year has always been popular for booking well-deserved holidays, but according to Britain’s largest tour operator Jet2holidays, a record number of people have tried to book a getaway in the past two weeks.

Bookings have increased by 150 percent compared to last month, with both summer holidays and last-minute winter holiday bookings being the most popular.

Online searches for holidays were up 22 percent last month compared to this time last year, according to comparison website Skyscanner.

And in a surprising new trend, potential holidaymakers have an open mind about their 2024 travels rather than a specific destination they’d like to visit.

Eager sun worshipers choose to search for flights to ‘anywhere’ rather than naming a destination on Skyscanner. This shows them the cheapest destinations for the dates they want to travel. These searches are up 73 percent year over year.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, says he expects even more people to book this weekend.

Laura Lindsay, trends and destination expert at Skyscanner, says value for money is still the main priority for travellers, with hotel and flight costs the biggest factors determining where they travel.

But more than a quarter of British travelers have budgeted to spend more on travel in 2024 than in 2023, says Lindsay. “Those who book in advance, know how to shop and remain flexible about times and destinations will get the best prices,” she says.

Although most prices continue to rise, there are some destinations you can travel to more cheaply in 2024. Economy class flights to Faro in Portugal were 24 percent cheaper in 2023 than the year before, and price experts at Skyscanner expect these discounts to continue. .

Similarly, anyone planning a Mediterranean getaway can fly to Nice, France, for 19 percent less than the previous year.

Further afield, you should be able to fly 13 percent cheaper this year to Dalaman, home to Turkey’s turquoise coast. The region is known for its pristine beaches, crystal clear waters and mud spas.

Many countries in Asia are offering cheaper holidays this year as the local tourism industry looks to attract visitors after the lull of the pandemic.

An expert at luxury tour operator Wendy Wu says the cost of hotels and experiences has fallen by about a third in India and China this year as a result. He says: ‘The world is now fully open to travel again, but many of these countries have suffered from the pandemic. They want to bring back visitors and that translates into lower prices. There are some great bargains to be had for far-flung destinations.’

Wendy Wu’s 14-day fully inclusive Inspiring India tour departing on October 4 costs £3,190 per person. The same departure last year cost £3,600 per person. The tour operator is running its biggest ever promotion this month in a bid to attract holidaymakers. The ‘Partner Flies Free’ promotion offers one set of free flights. With this deal, the India tour will cost just £2,690 per person – 25 percent cheaper than last year. Similarly, the cost of travel to and around China has fallen in recent months.

Wendy Wu spokesperson said: “If there is only one destination to have on your radar in 2024, it should be China, both in terms of price and experience. This year prices will be cheaper because accommodation providers are really hungry to get people back and are therefore pulling out all the stops.’

Osaka, Japan’s food capital, will be one of the most popular luxury destinations by 2024, according to Skyscanner. Searches for flights to the city have increased by 231 percent this year. Return flight prices range from £465 to £816 depending on the time of year you want to visit.

The ‘sakura’ – which means cherry blossom – has long been one of the main attractions for tourists visiting Japan in spring. It is so important that the country’s meteorological agency publishes official forecasts for the first flowering.

Osaka will see its first flowers around March 25, with full bloom coinciding with Kyoto on April 1. The good news is that March is the cheapest month to travel to the city from Britain, with an average return price of £465, says Skyscanner. Avoid traveling in August or September, when prices peak.

Closer to home, Vigo, in the picturesque Galicia region of northern Spain, has soared in popularity this year and is set to trend as a luxury destination, according to Skyscanner.

Searches for flights to the fishing port city have increased by 1,235 percent this year, with tourists drawn to the ancient Roman ruins and nearby islands. Prices range from £58 to £102 during the summer months, with August being the most expensive.

Adventure travelers have set their sights on Chiang Mai, in Thailand’s mountainous north, this year, with searches up 221 percent. Flights are cheapest in March and May, at £506 return, when the country is sunny. Prices peak at £737 in August, when Thailand goes through the rainy season.

While browsing, it’s easy to get carried away with the idea that you’re traveling to the destinations. But don’t book anything hastily. Many holiday providers are increasing the pressure with messages such as ‘hurry, book now’ or warning of ‘time-limited offers’. Consumer group Which one? previously examined these ‘rush’ deals and found that in more than half of the cases, the price was the same – or even cheaper – after the sale ended.

A common mistake that avid vacation planners make is booking travel insurance until the last minute. But remember that the policy must be in force from the day you book, and not just during the holiday itself. This means you are insured if unexpected illnesses or problems occur that prevent you from traveling.

Consumer group Which one? proposes a policy with emergency cover of at least £5 million plus £2,000 (or the value of your trip) for cancellation, curtailment and missed departure.