With the lockdowns of the last two years most families have either holidayed in the UK or not at all.
So it’s hardly surprising that far flung destinations are seeing a huge demand for bookings this summer.
Parents on our Manchester Family Facebook page have already been telling us how they can’t wait to get abroad this year.
However, you might be surprised to hear just how far families are wanting to travel.
Manchester-based travel agent Kelly Davis has been sharing the destinations that are getting the most interest for summer 2022.
As well as the traditional hot spot of Greece and the growing demand for Turkey – which has proved a more affordable options for families over recent years – there has been a huge spike in demand for the Maldives and Mauritius.
“We are 160{e9f0aada585b9d73d0d08d3c277fd760092386ec23cac37d50f4b8cd792b062a} up on enquiries for Mauritius as a result of some amazing early booking offers,” said Kelly, who runs her own independent travel agency Designer Travel by Kelly.
“We have as many families booking for Mauritius as we do couples, which is very unique.”
(Image: PA)
With the Maldives, she says the ‘biggest selling point at the minute’ is Water Villas, which is accounting for 50{e9f0aada585b9d73d0d08d3c277fd760092386ec23cac37d50f4b8cd792b062a} of bookings, led by offers such as complimentary upgrade deals to resorts including Siyam.
“We are seeing huge demand for Rhodes and Greece in general, driven by luxury hotel brands such as Stella, Iberostar and Grecotels,” said Kelly.
“Turkey has proven a popular destination with my customers as most resorts offer fantastic standards of accommodation, most with added water parks, splash parks and endless activities for all the family,” she added.
“It is proving to provide great value for customers and giving that little bit extra opposed to the more standardised European destinations.”
Despite its searingly hot temperatures from June to August, Dubai stays warm all year round and is another place that’s grabbing the attention of families.
(Image: Getty Images)
“We have seen demand for Dubai increase by 120{e9f0aada585b9d73d0d08d3c277fd760092386ec23cac37d50f4b8cd792b062a} on 2019 numbers driven by the fact that we have early booking offers including free dining,” she said.
As well as those five favourites, there is growing interest in cruises across the Med and the Caribbean.
And of course Lapland is already proving a big hit for next Christmas – with bookings up more than 400{e9f0aada585b9d73d0d08d3c277fd760092386ec23cac37d50f4b8cd792b062a} on 2019 and packages for 2023 already launched.
Are you looking to take the family abroad this year? Will you be holidaying in the UK? Tell us your favourite destinations in the comments here.