ebookers.com, one of Europe’s leading online travel agents, today reveals the top ten holiday destinations for 2010. Despite tightening the purse strings in 2009, Britons are regaining their confidence in the economy and choosing far-flung destinations such as Honolulu, Orlando, Cape Town and Miami Beach for their adventures in 2010.

According to ebookers.com’s customer travel patterns, travellers in 2009 were more cautious with their jet setting, with seven out of the top ten destinations situated in Europe. However, 2010 sees a more positive outlook with an increasing number of travellers booking long haul trips across the Atlantic as the green shoots of the recession start to appear.

 

Ebookers.com’s Top 10 Holidays (Flight & Hotel) for 2010 (no particular order)
Istanbul
Honolulu
Miami Beach
Cape Town
Las Vegas
New York
Orlando
Rome
Venice
Dubai

Please note: The ‘Hottest Destinations for 2010’ list outlines ebookers.com’s UK customer travel patterns for the year ahead, based on the year to date bookings for 2010 departures.

Cultural Pull

The pull of eastern culture is still appealing to British travellers with Istanbul once again featuring as a popular destination for the forthcoming year. Titled the ‘European capital of culture’ for 2010 by the EU, Istanbul is set to provide visitors with a colourful array of art, parades, dancing and traditional folk rituals and is considered to be one of the best value for money destinations for travellers.

Ben Reynolds, Head of Marketing for ebookers.com, says: ‘’This year’s list reveals that people are still visiting old favourites such as New York and Rome, but that travellers are keen to head further afield to the cultural hotspot of Istanbul and the sun kissed beaches of the States. We hope this will give travelers inspiration for their next holiday and whether it’s short-haul or far flung destinations, ebookers.com offers great savings on hotels, flights and holiday packages for 2010.’’

 

Chasing the sun

Whilst some travellers are choosing destinations slightly closer to home, others are extending their jet setting to the white beaches and sunshine of Honolulu. The tropical paradise is a new addition to ebookers’ Top 10 and looks set to be a popular destination for families, honeymooners and surfers, Honolulu combines sunshine, shopping and crystal blue waters making it the ultimate getaway for those wanting to escape the rainclouds of the UK.

 

World Cup Fever

With the 2010 World Cup nearing, Cape Town is preparing for a tourist invasion as travellers from across the world descend on the City to celebrate football, enjoy the beaches and sample the local vineyards.  However, it looks like there might be trouble in store for some Brits heading to South Africa next summer as flight bookings from the UK to Johannesburg and Cape Town steadily increase, hotel bookings are increasing at the same rate which suggests there might be shortage of sleeping space come June.

 

“With England making it through to the World Cup we knew there would be an increase in flights heading to South Africa, but what the current 2010 bookings data shows is that people are waiting until nearer the event to book hotel accommodation – which could leave thousands of football fans short of somewhere to sleep!” Reynolds adds. “Using ebookers.com new search function means you can search for accommodation to suit your needs, whether you want a bar or childcare facilities, we will be able to help you source the right hotel for your budget.’’