Travel report reveals new popularity
Wednesday 11th August 2010
A new Co-operative Travel report has shown signs that Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey, nicknamed "the METT" may overtake Mediterranean resorts in popularity by the end of next year.
|
| Moroccan Resort |
While, not so long ago, METT destinations were considered to be somewhat exotic places for intrepid travellers searching for new cultures and new experiences, their appeal is rapidly becoming more wide ranging.
Spanish favourites - Malaga, Palma, Alicante and Tenerife - continue to top flight searches but an upsurge in interest in emerging regions suggests that the METT is likely to become fierce competition to the traditional Mediterranean destinations.
Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey are all easily accessible from much of Northern Europe, have a favourable winter climate and are euro-free zones offering great value for money. However, what seems to have contributed greatly to these resorts' emergence into the mainstream is the rise in major hotel brands in the region as well as quality Timeshare resorts such as Club La Costa's new Appollonium Beach and Spa Resort at Bozbuk Bay on Turkey's Aegean Coast.
Both Morocco and Egypt have transformed themselves into luxury destinations where multi-million pound investments in top-class resorts, hotels, sports facilities, spas, golf and world-class restaurants mean that visitors can expect high standards at reasonable prices.
The Co-operative Travel report suggests that, as a whole, the traditional Mediterranean resorts have suffered an 11.6 per cent decrease in bookings compared with the METT seeing an increase of 23.4 per cent. Should this trend continue, there will be a reversal in their current positions, with some 30 per cent of UK travellers choosing METT destinations.
A spokesperson from Co-op Travel said that the continuation of the trend would mean the biggest change in booking patterns since the 1970's.
