On the Beach’s Big Winter Sun report has revealed more than half (57%) of winter sun seekers are now travelling all-inclusive, up 8% on 2019 levels.
In addition, On the Beach said as the trend towards all-inclusive "becomes the norm", there was a simultaneous shift in the number of holidaymakers booking higher star-rated hotels – with the OTA recording a 20% spike in bookings for five-star options compared with 2019.
Spain continues to dominate when it comes to On the Beach’s list of top winter sun destinations, with the Canaries (40%) the runaway leader followed by mainland Spain (17.2%) and the Balearics (8.5%).
More than a third of those booking the Canaries are heading to Tenerife, closely followed by Lanzarote, while Majorca wins out in the Balearics. Turkey is fourth in the list (6.9%), followed by Greece (also 6.9%), Portugal (4.9%), Egypt (3.8%), Cyprus (2.7%), Malta (2.5%) and Morocco (2.1%).
On the Beach said Turkey’s rise was notable following a "significant increase" in demand. Accompanying consumer research by On the Beach found that more than half of Brits have now either been to Turkey, or are planning to visit within the next year.
Malta came out in top in On the Beach’s study of the average cost of a seven-night all-inclusive stay at £282.57, followed by the Balearics (£294.89), mainland Spain (£305.93), Morocco (£311.69) and Portugal (£355.03).
“It’s no surprise seeing the Canaries taking top spot for winter destinations, it’s been a firm favourite of many Brits for a good number of years," said Zoe Harris, On the Beach chief customer officer.
"However, on average, it’s one of the priciest locations for a seven-night all inclusive stay and with cost being at the forefront of everyone’s mind, we’re seeing destinations such as Turkey and Egypt make a significant rise as a go-to winter sun escape.”
