240% surge in 2-week hols over Christmas
Tuesday, 04 Dec 2007 16:33
The number of holidaying Brits opting for two weeks in the sunshine over this Christmas has more than tripled, according to new data.
Figures from TravelRepublic.co.uk show the number of people taking a fortnight off over Christmas to soak up some winter sun is up 238 per cent on last year.
The online travel agent believes this is down to the prevalence of companies that shut down over Christmas, giving employees a chance to have two weeks' holiday with just three days leave, along with the disappointingly grey and sunless weather over the summer.
Among the most popular destinations are Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Benidorm and Fuerteventura in Spain, Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt and the Algarve.
"All you hear about at the moment is the rise and rise of the short break, largely in cities. But people need more than a few days of pounding the pavements sightseeing and shopping to recharge their batteries," said Paul Furner, TravelRepublic managing director.