Holidaymakers can save as much as 55 per cent on winter trips to long haul destinations, new data shows.
With many Britons dreaming of exotic, sunnier climes, return flights to locations such as Barbados, the Maldives and Thailand have plummeted by hundreds of pounds compared to last year, according to data from Skyscanner.
However, those who are keen to book should be warned that prices are lower due to the continuing uncertainty around travelling due to the coronavirus.
A drop in demand over worries where the pandemic is heading means that airlines are having to slash fares to entice holidaymakers.
Travellers can save hundreds of pounds on holidays to exotic locations such as Barbados
Currently, most will find it hard to obtain travel insurance to cover their trip, leaving them unprotected, and flights are still being regularly cancelled as the situation remains unpredictable.
Despite this, bookings for international travel from Britain have increased by 85 per cent over the past month, indicating more people are ready to head abroad as restrictions ease.
Stella Penso, senior director of pricing at Skyscanner, said: ‘Many travellers are taking advantage of attractive pricing for breaks in the next few months, with summer trips to Europe featuring heavily in our searches and booking data for the near future.
‘What many people don’t realise is that these savings are also applicable to long-haul winter breaks, with proportionally similar – or sometimes larger – savings on more expensive tickets with some flights up to 55 per cent cheaper than average this year.
‘With many long-haul tourist destinations relying on travellers for their income, we expect to see similar offers and deals from travel and holiday providers across the sector as they focus on boosting local tourist economies.’
This is Money, with the help of Skyscanner, reveals the long haul destinations with the top savings.
To find the best value destinations, Skyscanner compared the average price of return flights to destinations in economy class from UK airports from December 2018 and December 2019 to the same locations on 21 July 2020.
If you are tempted to book, ensure you have checked the four essential things to know if you are thinking about the plunge at the bottom of the article.
Best long haul destinations for winter savings
1. Barbados
Average December price: £943
Current available price for December: £424
Saving: 55%
Average temperature for December: 26C
What to do: Barbados is known as one of the prettiest Caribbean islands with tons of beaches to choose from.
There are a number of caves to explore including Harrison’s Cave and the Animal Flower Cave and lovers of rum can also go rum tasting as the island is known for its collection.
Travellers can head to Langkawi in Malaysia for £554 return – a saving of 37% from last year
2. Langkawi, Malaysia
Average December price: £873
Current available price for December: £554
Saving: 37%
Average temperature for December: 27C
What to do: Langkawi is also home to a number of stunning beaches.
The Langkawi Cable Car is one of the major attractions as it provides an aerial link to the peak of Gunung Machinchang, which is also the location of the Langkawi Sky Bridge, a bridge deck located 660 metres above sea level.
3. Phuket, Thailand
Average December price: £728
Current available price for December: £480
Saving: 34%
Average temperature for December: 27C
What to do: Phuket is one of the most popular destinations in Thailand for tourists.
Known for its lively bars and restaurants as well as its numerous beaches, holidaymakers can also take boat tours around the coastline.
Holidaymakers can head to Costa Rica for just £453 in December this year – a saving of 25%
4. Costa Rica, Central America
Average December price: £603
Current available price for December: £453
Saving: 25%
Average temperature for December: 27C
What to do: There is so much to explore in Costa Rica, known for its exotic, rainforest location.
There are a number of volcanoes to visit in the area as well as take a trip to Corcovado National Park where visitors can see an abundance of wildlife.
5. Maldives
Average December price: £923
Current available price for December: £732
Saving: 21%
Average temperature for December: 27C
What to do: The Maldives is famous for its picturesque, sandy beaches with a number of resorts found in the region.
Travellers can take part in a number of watersports including jet skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding and water skiing.
Travellers can make a saving of 21% on a holiday to the Maldives when compared to last year
What you should consider before travelling
With the international travel situation continuously evolving and restrictions still in place for some popular long-haul destinations, there are a number of things travellers should be aware of before booking flights.
Holidaymakers should keep an eye on the latest government advice and be aware of airlines’ cancellation policies, as there may be changes to the rules in the coming weeks and months.
Before booking an abroad holiday, it is worth taking into consideration the below options and deciding whether it is worth the risk or not.
1. Insurance: The majority of providers removed themselves from the market in March, to review their stance and redevelop their policies.
While those who had already bought insurance could still keep hold of their policies, it was closed to new customers.
Now there are a number of insurers who have started to sell policies to new customers again but this doesn’t mean they will cover everything you need.
Some have added coronavirus cover but this will only protect you if you are in a country deemed safe by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Most that have this cover will ensure your medical costs and repatriation if you become ill.
However, most will not cover customers for cancellation, which is one of the main issues with booking currently as many flights are still being chopped everyday.
If you have an existing policy – namely an annual policy, or one with a bank account – check before taking the plunge what you are covered for.
Many flights are still being cancelled regularly as the coronavirus uncertainty continues
2. Refunds: Although airlines legally have to refund customers for any flights they cancel, as many will have discovered, they have been taking months and months before doing so.
Therefore, if travellers book a flight now and it gets cancelled, there is no guarantee of when exactly they can expect their money back.
Many are being offered vouchers instead but this is not a suitable option for all as they are unsure when they will be able to travel again.
3. Protection from travel agents: Many customers will have booked travel arrangements through a travel agent.
Your travel agent will have made your booking with a company such as a tour operator or airline, and this is who you have a contract with and who any refund will be due back from.
Your travel agent will pass on any refund they receive from these companies as soon as they receive it, according to travel body, ABTA.
It is worth ensuring your holiday is ABTA protected which means that if your travel company goes out of business, you will be entitled to a refund which includes hotel costs.
Having ATOL protection is also important for those going on a package holiday as it means if the company fails and your holiday can no longer go ahead, you will be entitled to a refund if you are yet to travel, and hotel costs and flights home if you are abroad.
4. Cancellation: Can you book accommodation that is free to cancel relatively last minute? That could be crucial.
It is also worth considering booking with a credit card for Section 75 protection and finding out from the airline how long it would take to issue a refund, if a flight is cancelled.
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