More pensioners travel more often now than they did when they were younger, a study has shown.

Gatwick Airport revealed the holiday trends of over 70s as it launched its bid to find Britain’s Oldest Traveller.

The study revealed that 55% of respondents have started travelling more than ever before, with having extra time (71%) and money (17%) highlighted as the main reasons.

Gatwick found that while most older travellers opt for a ’staycation’ (86%), 48% like to go Spain, 25% enjoy France and 19% go to Italy.

Researchers quizzed 1,000 people for the survey, which also revealed that 30% of ‘OAT’s’ would like to have special assistance to make navigating airports and planes easier.

In 2011, Gatwick helped 381,000 passengers with reduced mobility, which represented a double-digit growth on the previous year.

Gatwick Airport’s Head of Terminal Operations, Paul Fitch, said: “At Gatwick we provide support and special assistance at every step of an airport journey – from the moment people enter our doors to the moment they leave. From customised transport and dedicated seating right through to specially trained staff, we’re dedicated to making the airport journey easier and more enjoyable for everyone.”

Copyright © Press Association 2012

Walking holidays are becoming increasingly common both in the UK and around Europe.

The London to Stansted bus can provide an easy route out of the country before the hike begins, dealing with all the necessary airport transfers.

Two locations in Europe are particularly popular for that holiday stroll: Amalfi in Italy and the Lycian Way in Turkey.

Those in Italy tend towards the Amalfi-Sorrento coastline of wild mountains, old fishing towns which tumble to the water’s edge and the spectacular paths with views for miles.

At the Lycian Way on Turkey’s south coast, a popular hike is from Ovacik to Kilidonya lighthouse.

Demand is also high for routes in France where visitors like to sample local food. A seven-night trip around the Luberon, for example, will set you back £840, although that also covers the return journey to Avignon.

One firm popular with those looking for walking tours is On Foot Holidays, which helps plan routes and the little details to ensure customers need only worry about their legs. It promises to take people “into the heart of a real Europe: local hotels, local food and wine, scenery, culture, history”.

Mark Knowles, of Hampshire-based Walks Worldwide, said Albania is also popular this summer, especially the so-called Accursed Mountain trek. He said he has had to add two extra departure dates to satisfy demand.

Copyright © Press Association 2012

A new airline connecting Iceland’s main airport at Keflavik with 12 destinations in the UK, Germany, France, Denmark, Poland, Spain and Switzerland is to be launched in June.

WOW Air has already unveiled its aircraft and is currently hiring cabin crew, for which it said it received a large number of applications.

The Icelandic airline will operate two Airbus A320s, which seat up to 168 passengers and are to fly from Stansted Airport to Keflavik three times a week. Prices for a one-way ticket start from £68 and include 20kg of baggage allowance per passenger.

Gudmundur Arnar, chief marketing officer at WOW Air, said the airline had already seen a high demand for the service from London.

He said: “We are a new and fresh business and will focus on passenger comfort. We believe customers will feel it is a fun experience travelling with us, while also enjoying low fares to one of the world’s most fascinating destinations.”

Iceland has become increasingly popular among Britons, with its tourism industry noting a 12% rise in UK visitor numbers last year. The figure surged by 53.7% in January as UK tourists rushed to the remote island to witness the best Northern Lights display in five decades.

WOW Air will also fly to Copenhagen, Warsaw, Krakow, Berlin, Stuttgart, Cologne, Zurich, Basel, Paris, Lyon and Alicante.

Copyright Press Association 2012

This winter’s quiet skiing holiday season in Europe seems to have been given a new lease of life thanks to recent huge snowfalls across the continent.

Just two weeks ago travel companies had almost halved their prices for some package deals because of the hitherto mild winter.

But large volumes of snow falling across the Alps may well indicate the rescue that many tour operators have been waiting for, and is likely to also increase business for airport transfer firms.

Crystal Ski’s Marion Telsnig said: “If your lifestyle lets you drop everything to head for the slopes, it’s the perfect scenario now.

“Prices have fallen because of weak demand in January, so you can get last-minute seven-night breaks in Arinsal, Andorra from £129; Cervinia, Italy from £196 (B&B) and Ruka, Finland from £190 (self-catering).

Travelsupermarket’s Bob Atkinson said: “For weeks, the big grumble was: Not enough snow – full stop.

“In many households, dropping the ski holiday seemed an obvious and easy economy to make.

“Now many resorts have enough snow to last the season, with Ischgl in Austria cut off at times by a freak 5ft snowfall in four days.

“While big operators have cut capacity significantly, the accommodation is still there and so are cheap flights.

“On living costs, the big downside is Switzerland: astronomically expensive for lift passes, meals out, and bars. France, Italy and Austria are more realistic as the pound edges towards 1.20 euro.

“Half-term is showing some ridiculous prices but there is decent value available on either side of that.”

Britain and France are leading the way in Europe when it comes to Christmas getaways, according to a new survey.

While their governments are at loggerheads over the eurozone and the future of the European Union, UK and French tourists are spending more on festive short-break getaways this year than any other Europeans, revealed the poll.

Research by lastminute found that UK tourists are forking out an average of £460 per person on Christmas and new year short breaks.

This figure was beaten only by France, at £481 per person.

The Irish are paying £371 for their festive short breaks, just below the European average of £373 per person.

The study, taking into account flights and accommodation, revealed that the Germans are only prepared to part with an average of £277 for their getaways.

And it revealed that British and Irish travellers favour different destinations, with Paris the most-booked festive short-break destination for UK travellers, while Barcelona was the most popular for the Irish.

And while Europeans’ festive getaways last an average of four days, the Spanish and Italians are taking five days.

UK and Spanish tourists are generally staying in three-star accommodation despite four-star establishments being the most popular overall.

Eva Bojtos, of lastminute UK and Ireland, said it was interesting to see that “so many of us refuse to miss out on our holidays and are still treating ourselves” over the festive period despite tough economic times across the continent.

New research has found a link between a person’s profession and the hoiliday destination they are most likely to choose.

Bankers have a tendency to go to New York for their holidays while lawyers are more likely to travel to France, according to a poll of 3,000 adults by airline Virgin Atlantic.

Estate agents could take advantage of cheap flights from Stansted to Alicante as their profession is particularly keen on trips to Spain.

Doctors and airline cabin crew appear to enjoy holidaying in the Caribbean, while farmers often switch domestic animals for wild ones on a Kenyan safari, the research shows.

Director of corporate communications for Virgin Atlantic, Greg Dawson, said: “Our jobs can often dictate where we holiday as budgets, interests and level of relaxation required are all influenced by what we do for a living. 

“However, what we do have in common, no matter the chosen profession, is that Brits are adventurous travellers, with 80% choosing a new destination each time they holiday.”

But just because you’re thousands of miles away on holiday, doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve completely escaped the clutches of work. Another report suggests that a quarter of bosses think it’s acceptable to call workers while they’re on annual leave.

The report, also by Virgin Atlantic, found that a majority of bosses would be happy to disturb an employee’s holiday if they were still within the EU.

Copyright © Press Association 2011

Holidaymakers will be cutting back on their holiday spending this year, a new poll has found.

So-called “Tupperware Tourists” will be taking a packed lunch on trips out, foregoing a hotel for a tent and leaving souvenirs in the shops, research by Experian found.

One in four said they would be eating a packed lunch rather than eating out, while 12% said they would be snuggling up in a sleeping bag rather than a hotel bed.

Meanwhile two in five said they were going to cut down on excursions and 29% said they would not be buying trinkets for friends and relatives.

The survey was based on responses from 2,000 people in a category described by Experian as Middle Britain.

This group is made up of three types – those with “suburban mindsets”, career people with children and new homemakers.

Experian said there would be “Tupperware tourists, memento misers and tented travellers” this year.

Those going abroad plan to spend just under £1,250 on average on flights and accommodation, almost £900 less than last year.

Spain and France are the top two overseas destinations this year for Middle Britons, who will no doubt be flying from airports such as Stansted,  Luton or Gatwick.  But as many as 45% are planning a British beach break, with Devon, Brighton and Blackpool the top spots.

Two in three of those polled said they would be demanding better customer service and better value for money this year, with 82% reckoning value for money was the most important consideration when making holiday decisions.

Experian’s UK and Ireland marketing information services managing director Nigel Wilson said: “Our latest analysis sends a clear message to the travel industry, and brands as a whole, that Middle Britain’s modern consumers will be more demanding than ever before and want more for their hard-earned cash.”

:: According to Experian, Middle Britain represents around 13.1 million people with the term being based on various measures including income, age, car ownership, type of house, number of holidays, attitudes and behaviours.

 Copyright © Press Association 2011