The Canaries is the number one destination for holidaymakers looking for winter sun this year with more than 40% heading to the tropical islands for a holiday.
The Big Winter Sun Report conducted by travel experts On the Beach, found that of those heading to the Canaries, more than a third are heading to Tenerife, closely followed by Lanzarote. Hot on the heels of the Canaries is Majorca in third position.
Mainland Spain is another top destination with 17% of sunseekers heading to the sun spot, with the Balearics, Turkey and Greece making up the rest of the ‘hot list’.
The top 10 list of winter sun destinations
- Canaries (40%)
- Spain (17.2%)
- Balearics (8.5%)
- Turkey (6.9%)
- Greece (6.9%)
- Portugal (4.9%)
- Egypt (3.8%)
- Cyprus (2.7%)
- Malta (2.5%)
- Morocco (2.1%)
One noticeable trend is Turkey’s rise, with a significant increase in holidaymakers travelling to the Eastern Mediterranean destination.
In fact, according to consumer research conducted by On the Beach, 52%* of Brits have either been to Turkey or are planning to visit within the next year.
Of these bookings to the top winter destinations more than half (57%) have chosen to go all-inclusive. In fact, since 2019, the number of holidaymakers who are now choosing an all-inclusive holiday has risen 8%, as they look to make their money go further during the cost-of-living crisis.
As this shift towards all-inclusive becoming the norm continues, there is a simultaneous shift of holidaymakers looking to book five-star hotels, an increase of 20% since 2019, as they look to spend a little extra for a high-quality hotel knowing that their food and drink will be included for the duration of their stay.
Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, said: “It’s no surprise seeing the Canaries taking top spot for winter destinations, it’s been a firm favourite of many Brits for a good number of years.
“However, on average, it’s one of the priciest locations for a seven-night all inclusive stay and with cost being at the forefront of everyone’s mind, we’re seeing destinations such as Turkey and Egypt make a significant rise as a go-to winter sun escape.”
According to On the Beach’s Big Winter Sun Report, on average, Malta comes out as one of the cheapest destinations for a seven-night all inclusive break with the Balearics and mainland Spain not far behind.
Average cost of a seven-night all-inclusive
- Malta - £282.57
- Balearics - £294.89
- Spain - £305.93
- Morocco - £311.69
- Portugal - £355.03
- Turkey - £364.37
- Greece - £364.91
- Egypt - £378.47
- Cyprus - £384.95
- Canaries - £396.23