Travel firms said bookings for last minute getaways have surged by up to 40% in recent weeks as families swap dreary days for poolside pints in Spain, Greece and Turkey
Brits are scrambling to book last-minute half-term holidays as miserable May weather sparks a rush for guaranteed sunshine abroad.
Travel firms said bookings for last-minute getaways have surged by up to 40% in recent weeks as families swap dreary days for poolside pints in Spain, Greece and Turkey.
The late dash comes after some holidaymakers held off booking amid fears over the recent jet fuel crisis chaos. But confidence appears to be returning with school holidays just around the corner,
Spain is currently the top destination for Brits chasing the sun, with Turkey, the Canaries, the Balearics and Greece also proving hugely popular.
Families are also being tempted by cheaper prices, with a week away during May half term averaging £577 less than an equivalent August break.
Forecasters have warned the UK faces a “changeable and unsettled” half term, with showers and cooler-than-average temperatures expected across many parts of the country.
Caspar Nelson, from travel firm On the Beach, said: “Brits can put up with a lot, but a washout half term isn’t one of them.
“The second the forecast starts hinting at rain and grey skies, families go into full holiday-hunting mode, searching for last-minute sunshine in Spain, Turkey and Greece.”
He added: “For a lot of people, the choice is simple when faced with chance drizzle at home or guaranteed sun by the pool.”
Fears of cancellations led some folk to delay making firm travel plans.
One British holiday hotspot however has reportedly been transformed into a “no-go zone for ladies” as groups of men roam the streets acting like they’ve “never seen a woman in their life.”
Numerous women sounded the alarm that groups of men in the Spanish city of Marbella have made them feel uncomfortable and even intimidated. The rise of this behaviour has been attributed to online influencers from the “manosphere” movement who glamorise the holiday destination across social media.