Savvy travelers on a budget will find next year's vacation more affordable in select locales
In our current climate of economic uncertainty, cutting costs is essential, even during leisure time. Early bird bookers can still bag bargains, as shown by a recent analysis by Holidaycheck – a renowned review and booking portal. This analysis focuses on travel trends for 2024 and predicts promising developments in package tours and vehicle rentals.
Christoph Heinzmann, a travel expert at Holidaycheck, explains that while an average three-percent increase in prices for package tours compared to the previous year may seem modest, it marks a significant contrast to the eleven-percent surge in prices between 2022 and 2023. He emphasizes that such a level is highly beneficial, as normal price increases in the past three years have typically fallen between five and eight percent.
The trend towards booking earlier gains momentum, with a 24-percent increase in prices noted as early as mid-October, compared to the prior year. Popular destinations like Fuerteventura, Mallorca, and the Turkish Riviera top travel itineraries. However, it's Mallorca that really shines with an almost 40-percent increase in bookings in mid-November. Heinzmann attributes this surge to the limited availability of top hotels, room categories, and flight connections.
Cheaper alternatives for both Easter and summer vacations await travelers
The two-percent price increase for Easter 2024 and a three-percent climb for the following summer are not as drastic as one might fear, with affordability still prevailing in certain regions. For instance, Turkey offers more budget-friendly alternatives, including the Turkish Aegean and the Turkish Riviera, where families can find week-long packages at roughly €2,400. This represents a decrease of around six percent compared to the same period in 2023.
Other cost-effective options for Easter and summer 2024 include Gran Canaria (down 14 percent at Easter) and Monastir in Tunisia (down 3 percent for summer vacations). Dubai (down 9 percent in summer), Marsa Alam and El Quseir (down 4 percent in summer, both in Egypt), and the Greek island of Rhodes (down 4 percent in summer) also make appealing choices.
Navigating the cheapest package tours in 2024 for Easter vacations
| Travel region | Price 2024 | | -------------------------- | ----------------- | | 1. | Turkish Aegean | €2,400 | | 2. | Turkish Riviera | €2,400 | | 3. | Tunisia | €2,600 | | 4. | Majorca | €2,700 | | 5. | Gran Canaria & Crete| €3,500 | | 6. | Hurghada/Safaga | €3,600 | | 7. | Tenerife | €4,200 |
For the summer vacations 2024, the following travel regions can be identified as the cheapest alternatives:
| Travel region | Prices | | -------------------------- | ----------------- | | 1. | Greater Monastir, Tunisia | €3,000 | | 2. | Majorca | €3,700 | | 3. | Gran Canaria, Hurghada/Safaga | €3,800 | | 4. | Marsa Alam, Fuerteventura, Turkish Riviera | €3,900 | | 5. | Turkish Aegean | €4,000 | | 6. | Rhodes | €4,100 | | 7. | Kos | €4,200 | | 8. | Lanzarote & Tenerife | €4,300 |
This analysis evaluates search data for family holidays lasting a week in Easter and summer vacations of 2024, covering flights, accommodations, and meals. The study encompasses details from over 65 tour operators.
While travel interest persists, Egyptian bookings remain tentative
Although Egypt continues to captivate searchers, reservations have yet to surge, with the current political climate being a likely factor. Heinzmann highlights that despite the abundance of search queries reflecting interest in Egypt, definitive bookings lag in anticipation of a less turbulent situation.
Holidaymakers can gather information on travel safety in Egypt and other countries on the Federal Foreign Office's website, where they can also register for the "ELEFAND" crisis preparedness list during their stay abroad.
Early birds can benefit from attractive rental car offers in trendy destinations
Surprisingly, early-bird bookers can snag appeal deals on rental cars in sought-after destinations such as Majorca, Sardinia, Crete, and Lisbon. Indeed, daily rental charges have significantly decreased since last year. The ease of availability for new and rental cars may be due to the current relaxed situation at vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. Problems in the international supply chains, exacerbated by the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, have largely resolved.
So, if you're planning a family vacation this summer, consider booking earlier to secure affordable package deals. At the same time, start exploring attractive rental car options in popular destinations. Keep in mind that price increases can vary across different regions and tour operators.
Source: ntv.de
Enrichment insights provide additional affordable travel options for vacation searches:
- Tunisia: The Sousse region offers cost-effective all-inclusive packages, often presented at lower prices than other Mediterranean destinations.
- Egypt: Affordable package deals can be found in popular Red Sea resorts like Hurghada, always keeping in mind the country's current political situation.
- Greek Islands: Islands like Rhodes are distinguished by a diverse selection of package deals, including all-inclusive, which tend to be more budget-friendly compared to other European destinations.
- Canary Islands: Fuerteventura and other islands in the Canary Islands combine beach and cultural experiences, with regularly cheap prices.
- Turkey: Turkey boasts numerous affordable holiday packages, notably in destinations like Antalya and Bodrum, both offering a mix of beach and cultural experiences.
