2017 to Be the 'Year of Eastern Europe'

LONDON, February 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Global travel deals publisher Travelzoo (NASDAQ: TZOO) is forecasting 2017 to be the 'Year of Eastern Europe', with the region gaining popularity largely due to the shift in tourism away from other destinations that have been affected by acts of terror. The region is also appealing to British tourists concerned about the value of the British pound. Travelzoo deal experts say holidays in beautiful destinations such as Croatia and Bulgaria are on average 30% cheaper than ever-popular southern coastal Spain this year. Travelzoo predicts the Eastern European region will continue to grow in popularity throughout 2017.

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Spain, the USA, France and Germany top the list of destinations Britons plan to book in 2017, however the Travelzoo® Spring 2017 Travel Trends Survey* shows nearly half of Britons are avoiding traditional Western European destinations because they're worried over safety. For others (17%) the weakness of the British pound is the biggest influence on their choice of destination in 2017.

Croatia Top Choice in Eastern Europe 

Over a third are planning a UK holiday this year, up 7% year-on-year, but millions of people prefer to travel abroad, with the Spring Travel Trends showing the Central and Eastern Europe region is growing in popularity. 13% of respondents say they plan to visit this region in 2017 and interest in Croatia has more than doubled since this time last year, making it the most popular choice in Eastern Europe.

With Travelzoo recently predicting that UK tourists could be paying at least 10% more for their holiday in 2017, due to sterling depreciation and the rising cost of oil, Joel Brandon-Bravo, Travelzoo's General Manager, UK, said: "Seven months on from the Leave vote it's encouraging to see Britons considering Eastern Europe as a travel destination in 2017. As flight bans to Sharm el Sheikh and Tunisia continue, and with uncertainty over the value of the pound, countries such as Croatia and Bulgaria-which operate outside of the Euro-offer better exchange rates and value for money to British tourists."

Balkans and Poland Emerge as Holiday Destinations 

The survey shows Croatia, Bulgaria and Poland to be the most popular Eastern European holiday destinations this year and 45% of Britons considering travelling there admit they would have never thought of travelling to these countries before.

Brandon-Bravo continued: "UK tourists who are now looking further east won't be disappointed. If you take the Balkan Peninsula for example, the coastlines of Croatia and Montenegro are close to the very popular east coast of Italy. They boast the same warm weather and beautiful beaches, lakes and mountains, but holidays in this region are on average 30% cheaper than popular resorts in Spain and Italy."

Concluding, Brandon-Bravo said: "The fact British holidaymakers are considering alternative, more affordable travel destinations this year is certainly positive news for the travel industry too-particularly after what has been a turbulent 18 months. Last year we were right about 2016 being the year of the US, so we're confident in our prediction that 2017 will be the year Eastern Europe secures its place as a popular destination for British tourists."

About the Research 

*The survey for Travelzoo's Spring 2017 Travel Trends Survey was conducted among 1,266 consumers in the United Kingdom, who completed an online questionnaire sent out by third-party research agency Toluna. The questionnaires were completed between 2-3 January, 2017.

About Travelzoo 

Travelzoo is a global media commerce company. With more than 28 million members in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America, and 25 offices worldwide, Travelzoo® publishes offers from more than 2,000 travel, entertainment and local companies. Travelzoo's deal experts review offers to find the best deals and confirm their true value.

Certain statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, expectations, prospects and intentions, markets in which we participate and other statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts. When used in this press release, the words "expect", "predict", "project", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "seek" and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including changes in our plans, objectives, expectations, prospects and intentions and other factors discussed in our filings with the SEC. We cannot guarantee any future levels of activity, performance or achievements. Travelzoo undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.Travelzoo and Top 20 are registered trademarks of Travelzoo. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Media contact:
Laura Higgins
+44(0)207-420-0498
lhiggins@travelzoo.com