IT’S FIVE STAR OR BUST

Holidaymakers are preparing to make up for lost time in 2022 by splashing out more on their breaks abroad after 21 months of pandemic travel uncertainty.

Research by British Airways Holidays shows a noticeable shift in searches from three and fourstar hotels and resorts to five-star as customers plan to upgrade their getaways this year.

It’s supported by a growth in searches for long-haul and shorthaul business class flights as part of a package break and the flag carrier also found an increase of more than 50% in those searching for all-inclusive trips. Interest in island holidays is also on the rise, with destinations such as Barbados, St Lucia, the Maldives, Tenerife, Corfu, Crete and Cyprus proving popular.

British Airways Holidays chief Claire Bentley said: “Lots of our customers are looking to upgrade their holidays in 2022… spending more after nearly two years of not being able to go on holiday in the way that they’d have liked. The pandemic has encouraged people to review their priorities – and quality time with friends and family is top of the list.’’ britishairways.com