Here are the most popular long and short-haul destinations for Irish holidaymakers in 2020

In case you’re looking for some travel inspiration.

As we’re still in the depths of the cold and wind and rain and sometimes snow but mostly just a combination of those first three, it is fair to assume that a lot of us of thinking of where to go for a few weeks escape into a sunnier climate.

Some folk have already got their trips for 2020 lined up and planned out, as Travel Counsellors Ireland tells JOE about the most popular destinations already booked for the year.

An increase in trekking, skiing, safari, and surfing has seen places like New Zealand and South Africa double the number of bookings.

General Manager of Travel Counsellors Ireland, Cathy Burke said: “Last year South Africa was in sixth place on our Top 10 List of Long Haul Bookings, this year it is third. The country was ninth in the standings in 2018, so it seems that the adventure tourism of South Africa, with its untamed wilderness and scenic beauty, has won over Irish holidaymakers.

“We have requests in from people looking to zip-line over the Koekedouw River, snorkel with seahorses in the famed Knysna lagoon, and safari at Kruger National Park. South Africa really does offer a soft adventure option for people of all ages.

“New Zealand is another country in which we have seen a rapid rise in bookings in January. It is an adventurer’s paradise with opportunities to try activities like scuba diving, hot air ballooning and rock climbing; especially in adrenaline-packed Queenstown. It is a stunning country and New Zealand is sitting just outside our Top 10 List despite such a surge in bookings.”

Here are the top ten long-haul bookings for 2020:

1. USA
2. Mexico
3. South Africa
4. Vietnam
5. Australia
6. United Arab Emirates
7. Indonesia
8. Canada
9. Mauritius
10. Thailand

When speaking of the short-haul rankings, Burke said: “It is clear from bookings that Christmas 2020 is already on the minds of the Irish public. Family bookings to Lapland – where you’ll find reindeer sleigh rides through snowy forests, cosy cabins, and of course the chance to meet Santa – for winter 2020 have been flying in and they are the sole reason Finland has made onto Europe’s top five.”

Here are the top five European destinations booked by Irish holidaymakers for 2020:

1. Spain
2. Italy
3. Portugal
4. Greece
5. Finland

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