Younger visitors flock to Spain

Spain's increasing appeal to younger holidaymakers is helping it fight falling visitor numbers, according to a study of 20,000 holiday bookings by The Co-operative Travel (TCT).

While UK bookings to Spain were down 23.4 per cent overall in February this year, TCT research shows this decline has been reversed in younger age groups.

For example, Majorca, the UK's number one package holiday destination, saw a rise in its share of bookings amongst holidaymakers less than 30-years-of-age.

In a comparison of the UK's top ten destinations, Majorca's share of bookings rose by as much as five per cent for bookers under the age of 21 (from 17 per cent to 22 per cent of package holidays) and three per cent for those aged between 21 and 30 (from 17 per cent to 20 per cent).

Ibiza has also managed to increase its share of bookings by four per cent (from seven per cent to 11 per cent of package holidays for people under 30).

However, Spanish resorts are losing ground with older holidaymakers. For example, Majorca's share of bookings is down between two per cent and three per cent with all other age groups.

Trevor Davis, director of retail distribution at The Co-operative Travel says: "The decline in bookings to Spain has been a growing trend over the last two years, with Egypt and Turkey the main beneficiaries.

"The Spanish Tourist Office has responded by attempting to increase its appeal to younger bookers, showing them that there's more to Spain than sun and sangria.

"According to our research this approach seems to be working and is good news for the long term prospects of the Spanish travel market."

Top Ten Summer Destinations For UK Holidaymakers In 2009 (all age groups)

1. Majorca - 24.2 per cent
2. Dalaman - 15.8 per cent
3. Crete - 10.1 per cent
4. Orlando - 8.9 per cent
5. Costa Blanca - 7.3 per cent
6. Ibiza - 7.27 per cent
7. Tenerife - 7.22 per cent
8. Larnaca - 6.4 per cent
9. Sharm el Sheikh - 6.34 per cent
10. Zante - 6.3 per cent

Chris O'Toole