Short breaks and keeping your budget under control

The time available and the cost of the trip are playing an increasingly important role in deciding when to set off and where to go. The Hilton study reveals that 67 per cent of respondents enjoy organising trips that pack in lots of experiences in a short space of time, and that 63 per cent prefer to stay in a central location, with attractions and activities within easy reach. This trend – known as ‘micro-travel’ – meets a practical need: to travel more often, even for just a few days, without waiting for the ideal conditions for a long holiday. The hunt for a bargain is the other side of this desire for flexibility. According to Skyscanner, 30 per cent of travellers change their destination to take advantage of more favourable exchange rates (as evidenced by the 25 per cent increase in searches for Vietnam, a destination favoured by currency trends), and this figure rises to 36 per cent among Gen Z and 38 per cent among Millennials. Flight prices, exchange rates and accommodation are the factors that have the greatest and most varied impact on the final cost, and for those looking to keep holiday expenses down, the most affordable destination highlighted in the report is Lemnos, in Greece, with airfares down by 61 per cent year-on-year.