Looking to get away? Hit these hotspots before everyone else does
*Books flights immediately*
*Books flights immediately*
You don't need reminding that January is pretty bleak. As we count down the days until payday and try not to think about the cold, we're also Googling getaways because we need something to look forward to this year - right?
But where should you head off to? Should you opt for a staycation or head to Europe? Go to your favourite place or try somewhere new? Or maybe you want to go that bit further and really chase the sun?
On The Go Tours analysed data from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation 2018 Tourism Highlights Report to find out which countries are growing in popularity as tourist hotspots - and give you some hol-spiration.
So where are we all heading as soon as the need for sun hits?
Romania is the fastest growing destination for UK tourists, with an increase of 638% between 2007 and 2017. Lithuania comes in second with around 115,000 visitors in 2017, followed by Mexico with holidays there racking up around 49 million hashtags on Instagram. If you're going for the perfect feed, you know where to go.
Other tourist hotspots include Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Morocco.
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The original favourites, France and Spain, don't make the list for fastest growing destinations - but they are still pulling in the crowds with over six million and ten million British tourists visiting respectively.
On The Go Tours Head of Marketing, Hollie Youlden comments: 'It’s interesting to see the variety of destinations that have made it into the top 20 with our internal consumer data seeing similar trends for UK tourists, with peaks in destinations like Morocco, Greece, and Italy.
'Europe definitely takes the crown with 70% of the fastest growing destinations being European countries, which given the wonderful variety of locations we have in Europe, and the relatively short travel distances from the UK, may not come as a huge surprise.
'Having said that, it’s great to see the likes of longer haul destinations in North America, Middle East, Asia and Africa with a large increase in UK tourists, showing people are willing to travel the extra mile for fantastic views, culture and cuisine.'
Brb, booking flights immediately.
Jadie Troy-Pryde is News Editor, covering celebrity and entertainment, royal, lifestyle and viral news. Before joining the team in 2018 as the Lifestyle and Social Media Editor, she worked at a number of women’s fashion and lifestyle titles including Grazia, Women’s Health and Stylist, and now heads the Marie Claire UK news desk.
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