One in four British holidaymakers are eyeing up a September break, as warmer Mediterranean weather extends the traditional holiday season. Destinations free from playing kids, families hogging the sunbeds, and children’s entertainment, are also sparking a rush for September holidays.
As the kids go back to school, searches for adult trips in September are 1,170 percent higher than family holidays, according to data from Hotels.com, which also commissioned the research.
The poll of 1,000 “DINKs”, (adults with a Dual Income and No Kids), found other reasons child-free adults like holidaying in autumn include the cost savings, as well as fewer children at the hotel, and having more of a romantic atmosphere.
Additional data from the hotel booking website showed top destinations for a term-time trip during the autumn months include staycation hotspots such as London, Edinburgh, and York.
And further afield, child-free adults are searching for breaks in Paris, New York, and Barcelona.
A spokesman for Hotels.com said: “The research found that 40 percent of DINKs regularly spend their hard-earned disposable income on travel.
“So, it’s not surprising to see so many child-free adults choosing to travel and find their perfect somewhere once everyone else’s kids are back in school.
“Not only can travelling during summer holidays cost more, you also have to put up with children on your trip, which not every adult wants to do. And of course, some people prefer the slightly cooler weather in September.”
Other reasons DINKs are heading away in September include not having to navigate around highchairs in the hotel restaurants (15 percent).
And 28 percent like not having to be quiet after a certain time or risk noise complaints from parents trying to get to sleep once the kids are down.
Whatever the reason, September and October are perfect months to get away that won’t break the bank
Expedia spokesman
Nearly half (49 percent) of the DINKs polled said the idea of looking after a kid on their holidays actively puts them off the idea of having children.
Meanwhile, 41 percent think there should be more hotels and holiday destinations that are for adults only.
Aside from complaints about children, 27 percent of those polled simply prefer the slightly cooler weather of holidaying in autumn.
Over a fifth (21 percent) like the scenery better at that time of year, and the same amount believe going away then shortens the span between summer and Christmas.
Only one in ten, however, would take a trip in autumn specifically to get close to nature, according to the OnePoll.com data – with a fifth of DINKs citing a city trip as their top preference.
Internal data, from Expedia, has also revealed the trending destinations for 2023’s “Shoulder Season” – the period between summer and winter.
British holidaymakers are opting for sunny climes, with searches for the ever-popular Algarve up almost 40 percent year-on-year.
And Ibiza, known for its mass summer appeal, is still bringing in the crowds in September, with searches up more than 25 percent compared to last September.
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But the battle for Spanish sun this autumn has a new contender, as Malaga’s appeal is skyrocketing – with searches up 40 percent in September, compared to 2022.
Meanwhile, Tenerife is the King of the Canaries, with searches for September and October double those of Lanzarote and Gran Canaria combined, and up over 25 percent compared to 2022.
Paris and Amsterdam top the list of European city breaks seeing a spike this “shoulder season” – with Paris up 35 percent year-on-year for September, and Amsterdam up 70 percent for October.
Lisbon is another trending European city climbing the charts, up 40 percent year-on-year. And elsewhere in the world, New York is up 25 percent.
But it is not just sun-seekers heading to Europe this Autumn – with UK rugby fans flocking to France for the upcoming international tournament.
Data from Vrbo shows a 115 percent increase in demand for the French destinations hosting games this September and October, compared to last year.
Expedia’s spokesman added: “We know from our trending destinations data that there are endless reasons for autumnal travel – whether you’re travelling for a sporting event, to avoid kids hogging the pool, or simply to hunt for that shoulder season sun.
“Whatever the reason, September and October are perfect months to get away that won’t break the bank.”
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