Greek islands see surge in consumer interest for late break

Figures from comparison site Travel Supermarket show that Rhodes is now the most popular destination for October based on package holiday searches by consumers. The island was only the 31^st most popular search destination during the same period in 2019.

Interest has also surged for Zante, also known as Zakynthos, and Santorini since the islands were put back on the UK government’s travel corridors list last week.

Conversely, the number of searches for Turkey has plunged for Travel Supermarket since the country’s travel corridor was removed on 1 October - dropping from first to eighth place in two weeks.

Other destinations to see a surge in consumer interest for October holidays include Maderia, Cyprus, Sicily and Barbados.

Emma Coulthurst, travel commentator at Travel Supermarket, said: “Turkey looked like it would be Brits’ most popular destination for the end of season but the government’s decision on 1 October put paid to that.

“People are reading up on which destinations don’t have UK quarantine restrictions and opting to travel to them instead of their usual favourites which the government is now advising against travelling to. Brits would typically head to destinations in Spain and Portugal at this time.”