Expedia Travel Trendwatch 2008

What’s hot and what’s not in 2008?

Introduction
Welcome to the first UK Expedia Trend Report. We at Expedia.co.uk have commissioned a mixture of pan-European and UK specific research, the results of which have formed the basis of what travellers have told us they plan to be doing travel-wise in 2008.

Our research indicates travel being motivated by a desire to expand cultural horizons – both with the rise of mini-breaks to more exotic midhaul destinations, as well as people participating in cultural or other leisure activities as part of their trip.

Our findings show that travellers are using the internet in greater numbers than ever before to research, plan and book their holidays. Travellers are becoming savvier in how they use their holiday time and are combining low cost carrier flights with more luxurious accommodation (‘fly cheap, sleep expensive’) and using bank holidays to stretch precious annual leave.

We have discovered that 2008 may also see the rise of a very 21st century holiday option, the ‘superbreak’ – which we have defined as a short break to a mid or long-haul destination such as Hong Kong, Dubai, Egypt and South Africa. This trend may also see those who choose to travel further for short breaks combining these trips with a holiday in the UK or in mainland Europe. Closer to home the new faster trains from St Pancras will link up with the TGV in France enabling swift travel by train throughout the continent. We also asked over 14,000 Expedia customers where their top ten destinations to visit during 2008 were. Abu Dhabi and Liverpool (2008 city of culture) were new entrants to the top ten, showing that travellers are willing to look a little further a field (and closer to home) to find new and exciting holiday destinations.(1)

Hopefully these trends will inspire you as you plan and book your next trip. Happy travelling!

Dermot Halpin President, EMEA Expedia.com Ltd.