Travel bookings for the autumn holiday have increased by 10% compared to last year, according to tour operator TUI. Spain continues to be the favourite destination for Belgians, while the Dominican Republic shows the most significant growth.
Autumn holidays – now two weeks long due to changes in the francophone school calendar – are becoming more popular with families. TUI notes that the extended break allows for more distant travel and greater flexibility in departure days, leading to more favourable prices.
Air travel is particularly popular, with 86% of TUI's francophone clients opting to fly to sunny destinations during the autumn holidays, up from 84% last year.
Spain remains the top choice, though some travellers are opting for locations further from home such as the Dominican Republic, Egypt and Tunisia. Families spend an average of €1,256 per person on these trips, a 7% increase from last year.
The first week of the holidays is the most popular for air travel, accounting for 65% of bookings, thanks to prices that are on average 15% cheaper than in the second week.
Car travel is also on the rise, with a 13% increase in bookings compared to last year. Half of these car travellers go to France, particularly to coastal areas such as Brittany and the Côte d'Azur.
Families spend an average of €229 per person, not including petrol and tolls, for a seven-night stay.
