Despite the economic downturn, many are still escaping the weather.
Despite the fact that it has been a difficult year financially for many people in the UK, an increased number of people will be heading overseas this Christmas to escape the potentially freezing winter weather.
In November, Which? reported that some 20 million Brits were feeling the pinch to the extent that they were going to have to cut their festive budget. However, in spite of this, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) says that an estimated 4.25 million people will be going abroad this winter.
While the Christmas and New Year periods are traditional getaway times for British travel insurance customers, this year will see 250,000 more people travel, with four million having gone abroad at the same time last year.
The most common break for holidaying Brits at Christmas is skiing holidays, and many European destinations were covered with snow earlier this year. Other popular destinations include Lapland, where many parents take their children to meet Santa Claus in a more authentic environment.
Others will travel to sunnier climes, while Paris, Reykjavik and Dublin will be the most common destinations for those looking to bring in the New Year in a different destination.
Over the last few days before Christmas, millions will travel, with December 22nd and 23rd being the busiest days. Heathrow will see the most business over the period, as 1.7 million are expected to depart from the London airport.
Mark Tanzer ABTA chief executive said: "Christmas and the New Year are amongst the busiest times of the year for the travel industry and I am delighted that millions of our customers are taking advantage of time off. With all the doom and gloom of the economy it looks like people are keen to escape for a break, whether they are visiting friends and family or looking to enjoy winter sun or guaranteed snow."
By Anne Jones
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