As personal disposable income increases, more and more UK consumers expect to take holidays as an inherent part of their life and well-being. However, the length of holidays is decreasing, due to many factors including heightened pressure in the workplace, thereby benefiting the city breaks market. The number of city breaks taken from the UK is estimated to have totalled 12.1 million in 1999. One of the most important factors affecting demand for city breaks is ease of access, and with the increase of short-haul, low-cost airlines serving a growing list of European cities, the relative economy of such trips is generating a growing number of independent travellers. The domestic market is dominated by independent bookings, yet there are an increasing amount of independent travellers generally in the holiday market as consumers become more ambitious. How is it best to target this growing customer base? Many operators are adding value to their packages in order to compete with independent travel, such as a free night or options for opera or theatre tickets. Increasingly sophisticated holidaymakers are booking later and shopping around for the best deals, although the finite number of city hotels and relevant transport facilities will always mean that the risk of a last minute deal is higher for the traveller and allows operators greater control.

The number of city breaks taken from the UK is estimated to have totalled 12.1 million in 1999.

Many operators are adding value to their packages in order to compete with independent travel.

Last minute deals are a greater risk for the city break traveller due to the limited amount of prime hotel and transport space.

This report examines the market for city breaks taken from the UK. With more holidays being taken by UK consumers both at home and abroad, City Breaks looks at popular locations and the attraction of such destinations and traces transport develoments such as Eurostar and the influx of low-cost airline packages, as well as the growth in long-haul city breaks. With holidaymakers booking closer and closer to their departure dates as a result of shopping around for the best deal, this report investigates means of turning enquiry calls into firm bookings and determines how best to target the increasingly sophisticated consumer.

Other Mintel reports of relevance include:

British On Holiday At Home, Leisure Intelligence, March 2000

Hotels, Leisure Intelligence, February 2000

Activity Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, October 1999

Short Breaks Abroad, Leisure Intelligence, September 1999

Tourism and the Over 45s, Leisure Intelligence, September 1999

Holiday Centres, Leisure Intelligence, August 1999

Crossing the Channel, Leisure Intelligence, July 1999

Holidays to and from France, Leisure Intelligence, September 1998

Holidays to and from Ireland, Leisure Intelligence, June 1998

Holidays to and from the US, Leisure Intelligence, May 1998

Seasonal Holidays - Winter, Leisure Intelligence, May 1998

Seasonal Holidays - Summer, Leisure Intelligence, April 1998

Inclusive Tours, Leisure Intelligence, March 1998

Independent Travel, Leisure Intelligence, April 2000

Holidays on the Internet, Leisure Intelligence, May 2000

Inclusive Tours, Leisure Intelligence, May 2000

Early Holiday Bookings, Leisure Intelligence, July 2000

Late Holiday Bookings, Leisure Intelligence, August 2000

Premium Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, August 2000

Budget Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, November 2000.