Skyscanner sees search activity pick up as the UK gets a summer drenching

Comparison of activity finds 22% increase in searches in last two weeks compared to previous period Continue reading →

It’s a long-established phenomenon that as the UK gets drenched with rain during the summer overseas holiday bookings see a surge.

So as the rain pours down outside it’s no surprise that leading flight comparison site Skyscanner has seen a spike in searches.

A comparison of activity in the last fortnight with the previous two weeks, has revealed a 22% increase in searches*.

Equally unsurprising will be the most popular destinations Brits are searching for: Ibiza, Barcelona, Alicante, Faro and Tenerife.

Hayley Smith, growth manager at Skyscanner, said: “With the weather showing no signs of letting up it’s no surprise we’ve seen an increase in searches.

“This, coupled with amazingly low fares for August travel, means a last minute break is more enticing than ever.

“Take today for example, you can find flights from Glasgow to Girona from £33 per person return, Luton to Ibiza from £66 per person return and Manchester to Menorca from £49 per person return.

“This shows it’s definitely not too late to get some much needed sun.”

The low late prices reflect the dominance of Spain once again this year as the leading destinations for the British.

Latest GFK booking data, which measures the main vertically integrated tour operators, a significant proportion of Abta agents and some OTAs, has Spain 10.7% up year on year in terms of passenger numbers.

Also faring well is Greece, up 7.9%, Croatia 45.5%, Cyprus 6.4%, Portugal 8.1% and Italy 10.4%.

Turkey has seen a lates bounce with passenger numbers up 29% in the four weeks to July 29 but the destination remains 9.8% down on last year for overall summer 2017 booking.

The US is down 4.1% and Malta, Switzerland, Ireland, Iceland and Australia are also all down but on smaller volumes.

Bookings for summer have been up year on year every week since the second week in April with a big spike in the week ending July 22 (16%).

Average selling prices were down on last year for much of May but have since recovered before dipping in the middle of last month before ending July £43 up.