Eastern Mediterranean destinations Greece and Turkey overtook the popularity of the Balearic Islands and mainland Spain respectively in summer 2007, according to industry figures.
Official industry statistics from market intelligence service Ascent-MI’s Leisure Travel Monitor show Europe as a whole ranked top for UK holidaymakers in summer 2007, with Spain remaining the number one destination in terms of passengers and value.
However, in terms of passenger numbers, Greece ranked third for summer 2007 compared with fourth for summer 2006, while the Balearic Islands slipped from third to fourth.
Commercial director Sarah Smalley said Greece had managed to go up the chart without price cutting as year-on-year average sales prices have remained positive.
But in value terms, Greece remained behind in fifth place, while the Balearics came fourth.
Another big winner for summer 2007 was Turkey, showing a resurgence in the destination’s popularity. It jumped from ninth in 2006 to seventh in 2007 in terms of passenger numbers, adding more than 87,000 visitors. It also moved up the chart in value terms from 13th to ninth place.
Ocean cruising showed the biggest leap up the performance table as cruising continues to grow in popularity and cruiselines add to their fleets.
The sector was ranked 23rd in passenger numbers for summer 2006 and moved to 14th place for 2007 – one of the biggest surges in popularity year on year. In value terms it rose from eighth position to sixth, bringing in revenue of £150 million to the industry.
The losers of 2007 included Egypt, which dropped from 19th in passenger numbers in summer 2006 to 24th for summer 2007.
This coincided with a rescue deal for Libra Holidays, one of the UK’s biggest mainstream operators to Egypt.
However, forward sales for Egypt indicate the destination is on track for growth in 2008.
