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Dubai tops destination chart for UK holidaymakers

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Dubai has been identified is the most popular single overseas destination this summer, although Spain remains the top country for foreign holidays.


Data from hotel search site Trivago of searches made for July and August show that the Emirate is the top summer destination among UK users for a hotel stay of at least six nights, followed by Benidorm and Barcelona.


The Spanish resorts of Salou, Playa de las Américas and Albufeira remain popular, while British holidaymakers are also heading to New York City, Orlando, Rome and Sorrento.


The largest proportion of Britons (37%) are heading to Spain this summer where the average one week hotel spend is £1,036.


Despite its financial woes, Greece is second most popular country for 11% of travellers followed by Italy, UK domestic trips, Portugal, the US, Turkey, France, the UAE and Croatia, according to the study.


The average one week hotel spend among UK holidaymakers is £1,036, the third highest after Italians (£1,168) and Germans (£1,130).


Hotel prices across Europe are varied, with some showing huge year-on-year price hikes, with Salou up by 36% and Benidorm by 33%. Others cheaper such as Sorrento, down by 13%; Rome, down by 12%; and Playa de las Américas down by 10%.


The cost of hotel stays in the US are also more expensive than last summer, with Orlando up by 25% and New York up by 19% to an average of £221 per night.


Edinburgh has emerged as more expensive than London with an average summer hotel cost of £175, against £170 in the capital. Blackpool is the cheapest at £57 a night, a fall of 5% over last summer.


While the average hotel price viewed this summer is £260, the average booking price is £112, showing UK users of the site research more expensive hotels than the ones they book.


The most popular week of travel during the summer peak August 17-23.


A Trivago spokeswoam said: “The monopoly that Spain holds over UK summer holidays is amazing, with 37% of users heading to the country this summer.


“Also interesting is the low percentage for travel within the UK – just 9% – with British holidaymakers more likely to head to Spain, Greece or Italy than choose a staycation this summer.


“The year-on-year price differences are also intriguing. While many holidaymakers may expect to find a bargain in the eurozone this year, this is not the case in popular summer resorts Benidorm and Salou, where prices are up by 33% and 36% respectively.”

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