Birmingham named fastest growing festive destination
BIRMINGHAM has been revealed as the fastest growing Christmas and New Year destination in the country by travel company Expedia.co.uk.
Figures released by the company, the world’s largest online travel agent, show that bookings to the city are increasing by 118% for the festive period.
The boost for Birmingham follows recent statistics from the UK’s hotel booking service LateRooms.com, which showed a 24% increase in bookings to the city’s hotels over the past four months.
The figures come on the back of the city receiving glowing praise from a number of influential, international publications including New York Magazine, which encouraged its readers to go to ‘Birmingham Instead of London’, and China Daily.
Birmingham now boasts the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria, along with a retail scene considered to rival the best in Europe. Many tourists are thought to be heading to the Midlands rather than travelling to the Continent to get their fix of bratwurst, Gluhwein and festive shopping.
Emma Gray, director of marketing services at Visit Birmingham, the city’s leisure tourism programme, said: “Birmingham’s festive offer grows stronger every year, with a record number of visitors tempted by the city’s unbeatable shopping scene, great selection of restaurants, affordable hotels and Christmas events.
“News that travel bookings to the city are on the rise is fantastic and we look forward to welcoming even more people to Birmingham,”
David Whitley, head of marketing at rail company London Midland, confirmed that activity across its routes mirrored Expedia’s figures.
Whitley said: “Birmingham is definitely a popular place to visit this season. Last week London Midland saw record-breaking numbers for people travelling by train around the West Midlands.”
Andy Washington, managing director of Expedia.co.uk, said: “The Christmas and New Year period is always an extremely popular time for travel and this year will certainly be no exception with people making the most of their extended break. It appears that Birmingham’s German market and great shopping options in the city are quickly becoming central attractions in the annual Christmas calendar.”
