Fewer British holidaymakers are choosing to book a holiday in the European Union over the continuing Brexit uncertainty, Thomas Cook has said.
The travel company said 48% of holidays they sold up to the end of February were to non-EU countries, up 10% compared to last year. Spain, Greece and Cyprus are still the most popular country’s for Brits in 2019.
The tour operator blamed the weakness of the pound against the Euro as the likely cause.
The biggest growth demand was holidaymakers flocking to Turkey followed by Greece then Spain, this accounts for a quarter of all Thomas Cook flight bookings.
Will Waggott, chief of tour operating for the company said, “Britain may be living through unique times from a political perspective, however our desire to holiday abroad is clear.
“Thomas Cook’s 2019 Holiday Report reveals that the political turmoil is having an impact in other ways, revealing itself in a clear shift to non-EU countries and a growth in all-inclusive.
“Turkey has already overtaken Greece to claim the number two spot of most desirable summer destinations and Tunisia is working its way back up the popularity stakes as it re-establishes itself as a hotspot for British tourists.”
Peter Fankhauser, chief executive said it still to early to tell if the impact on bookings is due to the delay in leaving the EU.
He said, “little doubt that the prolonged uncertainty around the manner and timing of Britain’s exit from the European Union has led many customers to press pause on their holiday plans for this summer.”
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