Thousands of Brits are ditching Europe for these three cheap African holiday destinations
Holidays can be found for less than £300 each
SEE EU LATER Thousands of Brits are ditching Europe for these three cheap African holiday destinations
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
WITH expensive costs and overcrowded attractions, thousands of Brits are ditching Europe for more affordable destinations in Africa.
Recent research by TUI has seen a boom in demand for North African holidays.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
3
North Africa is becoming a much popular destination with Brits
Credit: Alamy
3
Morocco has reported record tourist numbers
Credit: Alamy
Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia are all seeing a boom in demand, with destinations like Marrakech reporting record tourist numbers,
TUI's UK commercial director Chris Logan said that the reason for the demand was not because of the "fantastic value for money" compared to pricier places in Europe.
He told PA: "There's good quality accommodation and great weather beyond the traditional summer season.
"Even in the winter months temperatures are mild, making them a perfect choice for year-round travel."
And according to aviation analysts Cirium, nearly 20,000 flights are set to fly from London to North African destinations.
This is up from around 8,600 back in 2019.
Some of TUI's new routes include Stansted to Enfidha in Tunisia and from Newcastle to Agadir in Morocco.
Holidays are extremely cheaply too - we found deals under £300 each when four-star hotels in Morocco.
This demand has also been backed by Booking.com who said they had seen an increase in searches for summer holidays to Tunisia by 64 per cent compared to last year.
Searches for Egypt were up 64 per cent while Morocco was up 39 per cent.
Inside luxury camping bivouac under the dunes in Morocco's Sahara desert
Experts say many people are being drawn to the region by its wide availability of high-quality hotels costing considerably less than similar properties in locations such as Spain, France and Italy.
Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, managing director at travel agency Barrhead Travel said north Africa was "a region to watch over the next few years".
Other new Africa flights from the UK include easyJet's first route to Cape Verde from London Gatwick as well as flights to the Tunisia capital of Djbera.
And Norse Airways is increasing its flights from the UK to Cape Town after huge demand following the launch of them last year.
Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, a network of independent travel agents, said there is a "clear trend toward value-conscious holiday planning".
She went on: "Ongoing cost of living pressures and squeezed disposable incomes have meant that while people remain committed to taking holidays, they're increasingly focused on maximising value for money.
"This shift has driven growing popularity for destinations like Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia, which offer more competitive pricing and high-quality accommodation options compared to the more traditional western Mediterranean resorts."
The Sun's Deputy Travel Editor recently visited El Gouna in Egypt.
Our Head of Travel (Print) Lisa Minot went to Djerba in Tunisia.
And our Deputy Digital Sport Editor did a camping holiday in Morocco.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
From foodie favourites to culture hotspots – the best cities in Scotland to visit this year
Scroll down to find out the top spots in Scotland CITY LIFE From foodie favourites to culture hotspots – the best cities in Scotland to visit this year Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE top five best cities to visit in Scotland this year have been revealed. A new study, commissioned by travel gurus LNER, has ranked destinations across five key categories: family-friendly, outdoor experiences, food, culture, and sustainability. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Scotland's top five cities to visit have been revealed Credit: Alamy The comprehensive report analysed 71 towns and cities across the UK, pulling data from a whole host of trusted sources including the Met Office and the MICHELIN Guide. Each city was then scored out of 100 to reveal the ultimate champions. Falkirk was hailed as the most family-friendly city. It boasts the highest number of child-friendly activities per capita, great green spaces and top family friendly hotels. There are plenty of attractions including The Kelpies, The Falkirk Wheel and Kinneil Railway. If you love the great outdoors, head to Inverness. It's packed with 173 walking trails per 100 people, boasts top-ranked nature reserves and soaks up a whopping 1,250 sunshine hours While Edinburgh was named the foodie heaven. The capital city is home to 26 MICHELIN Guide recommended restaurants and a staggering 1,882 dining options. Stirling reigns supreme for culture. Stunning Scots hotel with jaw-dropping views and spa, right in the city centre The historic city has the highest number of bookshops per person, seven museums and a buzzing art and music scene. Lastly, Aberdeen takes the crown for sustainability. The Granite City boasts Scotland's cleanest air, a fantastic range of eco-friendly hotels and loads of great vegan and thrift shopping options. David Flesher, Commercial Director at LNER, said: 'When you're choosing where to go, it's not always easy to know what a city is really best at—especially if you're trying to plan something special. "This research helps take out the guesswork and shows what different places have to offer. "We hope this guide helps people make more informed choices, whether they're planning a day trip or a longer summer break. There are so many brilliant destinations on our route, and this is just one more way to celebrate them.'
Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Wales Online
TUI, easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 ban these food and drink items on flights
TUI, easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 ban these food and drink items on flights When jetting off abroad, it can be useful to have something to eat and drink during the flight - but there are certain items you can't bring on board There are different rules regarding what you can carry onto a flight (Image: Ashley Cooper via Getty Images ) When travelling abroad, it pays to be prepared with a bite and a sip to enjoy whilst you're up in the air. Carriers including easyJet, TUI and Ryanair all have a range of snacks and drinks available for passengers to buy in-flight. However, buying refreshments mid-air can often come at a hefty price, which, especially when catering to a whole family, can significantly add up. The good thing is that more often than not, you're welcome to bring your own nibbles aboard the aircraft, although certain items are no-gos. Leading airlines, including easyJet, Ryanair, and Jet2, have varying rules regarding the type of food and drinks passengers are permitted to bring on board. While airline policies may differ, it's essential for passengers to be aware of these restrictions before their flight. Tui staff cannot heat meals for customers during the flight (Image: Ceri Breeze via Getty Images ) TUI For TUI travellers, if you find yourself on a journey exceeding seven hours, you'll receive a complimentary meal and some drinks. On shorter trips, however, a trolley offers a selection of beverages and munchies for purchase, though you're equally permitted to bring along personal food provisions, reports the Liverpool Echo. TUI recommends packing "low-risk food such as pre-made sandwiches and snacks that can be eaten cold" also noting that their staff can't warm up any meals – with an exception made for heating baby bottles. Article continues below A further stipulation is that any alcohol for consumption must be purchased onboard. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here easyJet People can bring food aboard easyJet flights but there are some restrictions (Image: Ashley Cooper via Getty Images ) When flying with easyJet, passengers can bring their own food on board, but the airline also offers an in-flight menu featuring a diverse range of options. However, easyJet cautions passengers to be mindful of regulations surrounding the importation of certain foods into their destination country. According to their website, "You can bring food into the cabin, although we do sell a range of delicious food and drink on board. There's a 100ml limit for liquid food, like soup or custard." Furthermore, it's stated that "Different countries have different regulations about importing food and drink, so make sure you check the rules for your destination." Hot Drinks can be taken aboard easyJet flights, but these must be bought at the airport, and have a tight lid on them due to safety reasons. Ryanair Ryanair operates under a "feel free" policy (Image: NGCHIYUI via Getty Images ) Ryanair operates under a "feel free" policy, allowing passengers to bring food and soft drinks on board. Nevertheless, there are restrictions in place for hot and alcoholic beverages. As specified on their website: "In the interest of safety we cannot allow passengers to board the plane with hot drinks or consume their own alcohol during the flight." Jet2 Jet2 has stricter rules, prohibiting both hot food and beverages from being brought on board. Their website clearly states, "You may not bring hot food or hot drinks onboard the aircraft." Instead, passengers are encouraged to take advantage of Jet2's extensive selection of in-flight meals and snacks, with the operator highlighting that "we do offer a great selection of food and drinks to purchase during your flight." Travellers are prohibited from bringing "items which in our reasonable opinion are unsuitable for carriage by reason of their weight, size or character or which are fragile or perishable or which may affect the safety, health or comfort of other passengers or crew, this may include hot or strong smelling foods and drinks." Article continues below It is also crucial to note that, regardless of the airline, new regulations ban the importation of meat and dairy products into the EU. This includes items that contain these ingredients, such as sandwiches, and applies regardless of whether the items were purchased at the airport.
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Major evacuation as 1,500 passengers ‘trapped on train for 2 hours with no air con' in sweltering heat
People were led onto the tracks to fend for themselves RAIL CHAOS Major evacuation as 1,500 passengers 'trapped on train for 2 hours with no air con' in sweltering heat Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HORRIFIED Brits were evacuated after being trapped on a train for two hours with no air con. Weary passengers have slammed Thamelink after their morning service from Bedford to Brighton came to a screeching halt on the hottest day of the year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Fuming passengers were forced to wait in carriages with no aircon for two hours Credit: Twitter 4 The train broke down between Elephant and Castle, and Loughborough Credit: Twitter 4 Everyone was evacuated onto the tracks Credit: Twitter The train broke down between Elephant and Castle, and Loughborough - but ticketholders were left waiting in their carriages during the sweltering heat today. There was no air conditioning, and a major evacuation was eventually carried out after several hours. People were led onto the tracks to fend for themselves, and claimed they were given no instruction on where to go next. One passenger fumed on X: "Absolutely disgraceful from Thameslink Bedford to Brighton service train broke down the passengers left sweltering for almost two hours before being taken off in the middle of nowhere with no direction all left to their own." Another ranted: "Stuck on train to Brighton between Elephant & Castle & Loughborough junction past 20 minutes, rammed with people, hottest day of the year why are there no aircon and no windows that can be opened? there is no ventilation. "Medical issues waiting to happen." A third vented: "[Thameslink] you will have hell to pay. We've been stuck on this hot and humid train for over an hour. "The doors were closed because we were told we may be moving. That was 15 minutes ago. It's like an oven in here and we're being slow cooked." A spokesperson for the train operator initially wrote: "Due to a fault on a train between London Blackfriars and Herne Hill, some lines are blocked. We're working to gather more information on this incident." In a separate reply to another passenger, they said: "We are aware of your location (and the lack of working A/C on the train) and are working with response teams to get you moving as soon as possible. "Please do not attempt to self evacuate as the tracks are still live." In a statement to MailOnline, Thameslink confirmed: "Earlier today, a fault on a train near Loughborough Junction brought all services to a halt in the area, three of them outside station platforms. "Without power and air conditioning on such a hot day, we pulled all resources from across Sussex and Kent to get personnel on site to safely evacuate passengers as quickly as possible along the track. "This would have been a difficult and uncomfortable experience for our passengers and we are truly sorry. "With safety our top priority, the safest place was to remain on the trains while we worked our hardest to get help to those on board. "There is engineering work taking place today, which means this is the only route Thameslink trains can take south out of London and severe disruption is expected for the rest of the afternoon. "Anyone travelling south of London is currently advised to use Southern services from Victoria but you should check the latest travel advice at "Passengers delayed by 15 minutes or more are also entitled to compensation, with details on our website." A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "We were called at 11.46am today to assist around 1,500 railway passengers who are on board two trains which are stranded near Loughborough Junction station. "The power to the railway line has been isolated and crews are currently working alongside staff from Network Rail to lead the passengers from the trains to the station. "Around 25 firefighters are currently in attendance." British Transport Police added: 'Officers were called to Loughborough Junction Railway Station at just before 11am today (21 June) to reports of a train broken down nearby. "Officers assisted Thameslink and Network Rail and all passengers have been evacuated safely.' This comes as an amber heat health alert has been issued for the whole of England until 9am on Monday. The alert - a step up from the yellow heat health alert issued earlier this week - warned that "significant impacts are likely" across health and social care services because of high temperatures. But, the Met Office has also warned of thunderstorms across northern parts of England today. A yellow thunderstorm weather warning is in place from Nottingham up to above Newcastle. It will come into force from 3pm and last until 4am on Sunday. The Met Office warned there could be "frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds", along with a chance of flooding. Parts of eastern England could climb higher than the 32.2C seen on Thursday and become the hottest day of the year so far. Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: "There are scattered thunderstorms coming through. "Some of the rain could be quite intense, and frequent lightning, hail, gusty winds and some heavy downpours, which we haven't seen for a while. "Some of the ground is quite hard at the moment, and when you get heavy rain hitting hard ground, it can cause surface water issues. "You might find surface water on the roads, drains finding it difficult to cope and a small chance of homes being flooded." It comes after hundreds headed out early this morning to watch the sunrise over Stonehenge in celebration of the summer solstice. Those who marked the year's longest day elsewhere experienced 18C temperatures in Salisbury and Greater London by 5am, according to the Met Office. The weather agency also confirmed that Yeovilton in Somerset and Crosby in Merseyside had the highest recorded overnight figures in England, both reaching 19.7C by 6am. The mercury in Cumbria and Lancashire also reached highs above 19C. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK. Aidan McGovern, meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "At the moment, the temperatures will be highest towards the east, [with] lower temperatures in the west compared with Friday but still high humidity, so it's going to feel oppressive in many places, and [there is] always a chance of some showers developing as the day progresses, particularly towards the west. "Temperatures [will be] peaking at 31 to 33, or 34C, somewhere between London and Midlands and north-east England." 4 Passengers claimed they were left to fend for themselves on the tracks Credit: Twitter More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
