Fiesta for Families – Spain Tops UK Families’ Getaway Choices
Date published: 03 October 2011ABTA reveals UK consumers’ top 10 family friendly destinations.
Spain has been voted the number one destination for families as revealed today in the ABTA 2011 Consumer Trends Survey at The Travel Convention in Palma Mallorca. Spain narrowly beat the UK as the most family friendly holiday destination. The Mediterranean countries shine through as especially appealing for families occupying six out of the top 10 spots.
Consumers were asked which country they regarded as the most family friendly for holidays and almost one in five gave their vote to Spain, Spain proves most popular with one in four 35-44 year olds being particularly keen on the country. The UK came in at second place overall and especially popular among an older age group with those aged 55+ voting it their most family friendly destination. The amazing theme parks and hospitality of the USA drove it to a very strong third spot.
The Mediterranean dominates the top ten with Spain joined by France, Greece, Italy, Turkey and Cyprus and an honourable ninth spot goes to Spain’s neighbour Portugal. Further afield, the long flight to Australia is clearly worth the effort as it completes the ABTA Top 10 for Family Friendly destinations.
Mark Tanzer, ABTA Chief Executive said: “For many years Spain has been our favourite overseas holiday spot. One of the main reasons for this has been the amazing welcome and facilities that Spain and its people offer to families. All of the countries in the top 10 deserve our thanks and congratulations for the incredible holidays they have provided to British families for many years and will continue to for many more years to come.”
Ignacio Vasallo, Director of the Spanish Tourist Office welcomed the news: “We are delighted to see that even in tough times families continue to see Spain as their preferred holiday destination. We continue to support the travel trade to update them on all our new developments in culture, sport and gastronomy. It truly is a pleasure to see so much loyalty from the travel trade and British public.”
Top 10 family friendly destinations:
1. Spain
2. UK
3. USA
4. France
5. Greece
6. Italy
7. Turkey
8. Cyprus
9. Portugal
10. Australia
For further information
For further information contact:
Sean Tipton, Senior Press Officer, tel: 020 3117 0513
Victoria Bacon Head of Communications, tel: 020 3117 0515
Out of Hours: Contact the Duty Press Officer via pager: 07659 190 987
E-mail: press@abta.co.uk
Web: www.abta.com
Twitter: @ABTAtravel
Consumer research was conducted by Arkenford Ltd (www.arkenford.co.uk) who specialise in tourism and leisure market research. The ABTA Consumer Trends survey generated response from a nationally representative sample of 2018 consumers using an online research methodology and related to holiday booking habits in the 12 months to September 2011. Fieldwork was conducted in September 2011.
Notes to editors
ABTA has been at the heart of travel for more than 60 years. Our purpose is to help our Members to grow their businesses successfully and sustainably, and to help their customers – the travelling public – have confidence in their travel experience.
The ABTA brand stands for expertise, reliability and fairness. These qualities are core to us. They ensure that holidaymakers remain confident in the holiday products that they buy from our Members.
We help our Members and their customers navigate through today's changing travel landscape by providing schemes of financial protection and a course of redress if something goes wrong; by raising standards in the industry and by giving guidance on issues from sustainability to health and safety; and by presenting a united voice to government to ensure the industry and the public get a fair deal.
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