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Summer getaway under starter’s orders

Two million British holidaymakers are set to travel overseas this weekend as the majority of English school break up for the summer, Abta estimates.


Spain is the top destination, with the Canary and Balearic Islands the most popular areas.


Turkey and Greece are also popular and are forecast to have high temperatures and guaranteed sunshine.


The popularity of Spain and Greece suggests that savvy people are looking to take advantage of the strong pound/euro exchange rate.


Sterling has strengthened to a four year high against the euro, meaning holidaymakers are receiving 11.5% more value for their money compared to last year. It is reported that prices in restaurants and bars in destinations are falling, Abta said.


Domestic operators are reporting strong demand with the weather forecast to improve in the UK. Cornwall and Devon, the South Coast, Norfolk and Suffolk are all expected to be extremely busy including the resorts of Blackpool and Brighton.


It is expected that 482,000 passengers will leave from Heathrow, 275,000 from Gatwick, 132,500 from Stansted and 70,000 from Luton this weekend.


More than 100,000 will be leaving from Scottish airports with 50,000 from Glasgow alone.


A further 297,000 will fly from Manchester, 64,000 from Birmingham and 45,000 from Bristol.


Other regional airports, ferry terminals and the channel tunnel will also be “extremely busy” with hundreds of thousands leaving the country.


Eurostar is reporting that 50,000 will depart the UK this weekend with Paris, Amsterdam and Lyon proving most popular.


Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “This weekend marks the start of the summer holiday getaway and is expected to be one of the busiest of the year at UK airports, with thousands also arriving for the Olympics.


“Eurozone destinations are proving popular with holidaymakers looking to take advantage of the pound’s strengthening against the Euro, coupled with the fact that many bars and restaurants have lowered their prices.”

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