LONDON, JULY 29
Nearly nine out of 10 Britishers (87 per cent) say that prices at destinations constitute the most important criterion when picking their perfect holiday. A study for price comparison website Kelkoo.co.uk by internet-based market research firm YouGov, said price was followed by cost of accommodation (86 per cent) and flights (82 per cent), security (81 per cent), climate (78 per cent), food quality (77 per cent), cultural and tourist attractions (65 per cent), exchange rate (61 per cent), flight length (41 per cent) and time difference (9 per cent).
The study was based on a scientific random survey of 2,229 UK adults, who were asked about the relative importance of ten criteria used to select a holiday destination. The results of this survey were combined with official statistics on the ten criteria to determine the ‘Kelkoo Beach Index’ of best destinations for UK travellers in 2010.
Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast came top with a score of 70.98 out of 100, ahead of North Tunisia (69.1), Antalya (Turkey, 68.72), Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt, 66.16), the Algarve (Portugal, 65.81), Goa (62.85), Dubrovnik (Croatia, 62.57), Larnaca (Cyprus, 58.94), Crete (58.94) and the Balearic Islands (Spain, 58.47).
Goa’s lowly rank of sixth should not unduly worry the local tourism industry, as the survey was for summer beach destinations, while Goa is considered a winter beach destination. However, price rules. Kelkoo UK Managing Director Bruce Fair said: “In the current climate, British holidaymakers seem to be more cost-conscious than ever.”
Regardless of the rankings, he said: ‘Bulgaria, Tunisia and Turkey may not seem top beach holiday destinations, but they fit the bill most closely against the criteria that matter most to UK holidaymakers today – value for money and affordability.” ‘Top’ beach destinations Hawaii, Rio de Janeiro and Sydney were the three lowest of the 20 destinations ranked, mainly due to cost of flights and accommodation.
Unsurprisingly, Goa, the Maldives and Bali were ranked lowest in the rankings for cultural and tourist attractions. Kelkoo Travel offers a one-stop-shop comparing prices from over 100 airlines for flights to thousands of destinations and listings for more than 140,000 hotels across 10,000 locations.
