Turkey Topples Spain

Spain may have been crowned European Football Champions this summer but it seems they are losing their crown as Britains favourite summer holiday destination.. . .

Turkey has toppled Spain as the most popular destination for those looking for a bargain break in the sun, according to a report by The Cooperative Travel Group. The group says the high cost of the euro and reduced capacity to Spain following the merger of the big travel names is the cause of the shift.

Spain has held the number one spot for the bucket and spade brigade since the birth of the package holiday. The report says sales to Turkey are up 30% this summer compared to the same period last year while bookings to Majorca, previously the British holidaymaker's favourite, are down 13%.

It adds that the mergers of Thomas Cook and MyTravel and Thomson and First Choice has prompted rationalisation in capacity with operators reducing supply to short haul Mediterranean resorts. The report reminds that at the start of the summer TUI announced 12% cuts and Thomas Cook reduced Mytravel’s programme by 23%

Head of The Co-operative Travel’s Director of Retail Distribution Trevor Davis said: "Bookings from people looking for cheap summer sun have traditionally ensured that Spain was the leading holiday destination. However this year they are finding the high euro and a shortage of availability means the normal late deals aren’t available.

"Turkey has benefited most from this trend and we’re seeing 30% growth in bookings for holidays across all parts of the country." The company says that the average selling price of a holiday to Turkey is up to £108 cheaper than to Majorca (£357 compared to £465).