Beirut, Macau and Seoul set to see more visitors in 2011
This year, thousands will catch flights to Tenerife and Malaga, which continue to top the popularity charts for UK holidaymakers, however, new data from flights comparison site Skyscanner highlights the top 5 destinations seeing a surge in interest from British travellers.
Quebec City, Canada – up 137%
With a 137% rise in searches on Skyscanner more visitors will discover Quebec City this year. For the active traveller there is skiing, biking and hiking on offer. Art fans can enjoy the National Museum, and shoppers will love the traditional European feel of ‘Petit-Champlain’, North America’s oldest shopping district.
Beirut, Lebanon – up 125%
Party capital of the Middle East, Beirut has quietly earned itself a reputation for being somewhere worth seeing. Steel and glass skyscrapers are sprouting up alongside Parisian architecture and overlooking the Mediterranean. The traffic is unruly and the locals lively with nightlife that is fun, friendly and full on. BMI are set to increase the number of flights from the UK to Beirut this year and Skyscanner has already seen a 125% rise in searches.
Macau, China SAR – up 107%
Hong Kong’s lesser known sister, Macau has seen twice as many searches in 2010 compared with the previous 12 months as more visitors are attracted by the enticing mix of Portuguese colonial architecture, skyscraper shopping and the glitzy casinos, earning it the title “Las Vegas of the East”. The fusion of European and Chinese cultures makes Macau a fascinating place, perfectly combining western familiarity with eastern exoticness.
Seoul, South Korea – up 104%
The high-tech feel of Tokyo with the edge of Hong Kong, Seoul is an intriguing capital that’s easy to love. Full of outgoing and hospitable people, visitors shouldn’t be surprised if they get adopted for the day by a friendly local. Last year was highly successful for tourism in Korea and this year they expect visitor numbers to be even higher.
Doha, Qatar – up 67%
Fans of the Emirates may look to swap flights to Dubai for flights to Doha this year. The capital of Qatar should receive more interest as it gears up for the World Cup which it’s due to host in 2022. What was once a small pearl fishing village on in the Arabian Gulf, is now a growing rapidly and challenging Dubai for the title of ‘capital of the Gulf’ and per capita, claims to be the richest country in the world. Doha offers desert safaris, old souks and beaches on Palm Tree Island to escape the city’s throngs.
