Big UK Holiday Exit this wkend, Greece Popular Choice, ABTA Says

As July comes to a close, holidaymakers across the UK are packing their bags ready to set off for their top destinations including Greece, Portugal, Spain and Cyprus with ABTA estimating that 2.3 million people will be heading abroad this weekend (July 22-24).

According to the country’s leading travel agents and tour operators association, the Western Mediterranean is set to be the preferred choice for British vacationers this summer, with Portugal marking a 23 percent increase year on year, Spain up by 22 percent and Cyprus by 16 percent.

Greece remains a favorite for UK travelers with bookings for summer up by 5 percent year on year.

In the meantime, selected long-haul destinations include the US and Mexico, with Florida remaining a top summer family destination.

Following the UK’s decision last month to exit the EU and the resultant drop in the value of the pound, domestic travel – aka “staycations” – is seeing a revival, with Devon, Cornwall and the Channel Islands featuring highly among the Brits’ beach break choices.