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Great Britain has long been one of Spain’s most important tourism markets and so far in 2023, almost 13 million UK holidaymakers have flocked to the costas. This trend looks set to continue next year according to a study by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), which shows that 29% of Britons surveyed are planning a trip to Spain in 2024.

 

In fact, for UK travellers, Spain is by far and away the top pick, steaming ahead of other popular destinations like Italy (15%), France (15%), the United States (14%) and Greece (11%).

 

In the 12 months leading up to August 2023, 52% of the UK population went on holiday abroad, taking an average of 1.4 vacations each, which is back in line with the typical pre-pandemic figures.

 

This appetite for travel promises to remain strong in 2024, with almost two-thirds (64%) of Brits planning to take a trip abroad in the next 12 months.

 

Perhaps given the increased price of flights and accommodation, intrepid travellers are now steering away from the typical summer months and instead opting to holiday off-peak. As a result, the Spanish tourism industry expects to be busiest next May and June, when 21% of Britons plan to fly. These months come in just ahead of October (19%) and slightly ahead of the more traditional July and August, both with a 17% preference.

 

"The data shows that travel demand is outside peak periods and we know that many affiliates are working to meet that demand by extending seasons in some destinations and increasing low-season capacity," the Association said in a statement.

 

Interestingly, despite the rising cost of living in both the UK and Spain, the majority of respondents (51%) plan to spend the same money on vacation next year as they did in the last 12 months, and a significant proportion plan to spend more (28%).

 

 

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