12/07/07 - More Brits Tempted by Mediterranean Sun

Fed-up Brits are increasingly choosing the summer months to escape to foreign climes…

Apart from the fact that the school holidays make it more convenient for families to take a vacation, more and more Brits will probably be choosing this time of year to escape poor weather at home - especially as the Met Office recently suggested that torrential rain could become a feature of British 'summers' as a result of global warming.

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) agrees. In a recent study, the body found that a huge proportion of holidaymakers choose their destination with the guarantee of good weather in mind. Spokesman Sean Tipton said: "The main reason for leaving the country, as most of our breaks are taken over the summer, is the lure of guaranteed good weather and beautiful beaches.

"That is the main reason that people go away, but obviously, in addition to that there is beautiful countryside, interesting food. For people going on city breaks it is more for different cultures and great architecture", he added.

Spain and Portugal benefit

It is perhaps because of the number of sun seekers that hail from this windswept outpost of northern Europe that Spain is the top holiday destination for UK holidaymakers. Spain - and its neighbour Portugal - enjoy year-round good weather that brings in visitors not just from Britain, but all over Europe.

As a result, Spain has evolved to cater to a wide variety of tastes, which has further solidified its position at the top of the European destination list. According to ABTA figures, the top five holiday destinations for Brits are Spain, France, USA, Italy and Greece. Despite the fact that each of these counties is or has bona fide suntraps, Spain consistently takes the number one spot.

Source: Assetz Press Release