ABTA has found that 29 per cent of those surveyed are planning to take an all-inclusive holiday in 2023.
This figure increases to 40 per cent for those aged 44 and under, and 57 per cent for those with young families.
The association said its members – including Travel Republic, Barrhead Travel, TUI, Jet2holidays and easyJet holidays – were all seeing increases in the number of bookings for all-inclusive breaks.
It credited this to ‘people looking to lock in one total and upfront cost’ to better manage their money.
Popular destinations for all-inclusive trips include the Balearics, Canary Islands and Turkey.
The first Saturday after the Christmas and New Year break is dubbed ‘Sunshine Saturday’ by the UK travel industry as it is typically the most popular day of the year to book a foreign trip.
ABTA research finds that 61% of people are planning to head abroad this year and around a third (31%) of people say they’re planning to book earlier than normal in order to get the best price for their holiday.
This Sunshine Saturday is expected to be one of the busiest for a number of a years now that holidaymakers are no longer facing a heavy burden of Covid travel restrictions.
The lack of travel during the pandemic seems to have reinforced the love which many have for travel, with new figures from ABTA showing that 66% of people say going on holiday is very important to them.
Many people intend to prioritise their holidays ahead of other discretionary spend like eating out, leisure activities or buying new clothes.
ABTA has also published its ‘top 23 for 23’: the 23 most popular destinations people say they plan to visit this year.
Staying closer to home seems to be the preference for most people, with a large proportion of the list being short to mid-haul destinations such as Spain, Turkey and the UAE, but destinations including the USA, Mexico, Thailand and Australia continue to have their draw as long-haul favourites.
Mark Tanzer, ABTA Chief Executive said:
“The start of the year usually brings lots of enthusiasm for booking holidays and we know many people will be really looking forward to getting away in 2023.
“People’s appetite for holiday taking has remained remarkably resilient despite the ongoing pressure on people’s finances, though there’s definitely a strong focus on securing great value for money. Our number one piece of advice is to book with a reputable travel company, such as an ABTA Member travel agent or tour operator, who can help you find the holiday you’re looking for at the price you want to pay.”
ABTA’s Top 23 Destinations for 2023
1. Spain
2. USA
3. France
4. Italy
5. Greece
6. Portugal
7. Germany
8. Australia
9. Turkey
10. Cyprus
11. Austria
12. Thailand
13. Canada
14. Netherlands
15. United Arab Emirates
16. Ireland
17. Croatia
18. Mexico
19. Switzerland
20. Norway
21. Egypt
22. Iceland
23. Belgium
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Just an observation, but it's curious how out of 170 countries that these travel and residency inconveniences apply to, only one nationality consistently presumes it to be uniquely targeted at them. For example, you never hear Canadians or Americans or Japanese or any other nationality complaining about passport control or increased residency paperwork, such as minimum income, healthcare and criminal record requirements. ...or driving licences. But it all applies to them too. There's only one nationality that consistently claims it's all about them. Ironically, that same nationality applies much of the same rules to those seeking residency in their own country, and further, has famously exhibited much the same anti-foreigner sentiment they accuse others of. Conversely, whenever any exception is facilitated, also applying to those 170 countries, such as the "digital nomad visa", only one country presumes It's uniquely targeted at them. I've yet to hear any other of the 170 countries which the digital nomad visa applies to, staking claim that it's specifically targeted at them. Only one country makes this assumption.
Having all the anti British rhetoric from the Spanish government we have spent two weeks in Vietnam rather than Mallorca over Christmas. The people have been very welcoming and friendly. We have a property in Mallorca and it’s so sad we aren’t welcome anymore. Maybe we can sell our million pound property to a local and enjoy the rest of the world
Stan The ManThe handful of British resorts are mostly closed down for the winter. This article is referring to summer bookings from British tourists for British resorts, which dominate the all inclusive offerings here.
Shame for those visiting now, just as the Temperatures are falling down to Winter levels.
I detest all-inclusive. It's for poor people who don't give a 💩 about food or drink quality. Complete oiks.
Just to clarify; Can you remind us when exactly Turkey is set to "Knock the stuffing out of Mallorca"? It seems it's been inevitable for several years now.