Bargain hunting holidaymakers who look for the best price could knock traditional favourite Majorca off the number one holiday sales chart in favour of cheaper destinations in 2011.
There has always been a multitude of reasons that influence a holidaymakers' choice of destination, advice from friends and family, past visits, but top of the pile in today's economy for many families is cost.
Spain's Majorca comes out on top compared to other Mediterranean islands on two counts at least.
It's been welcoming tourists for over half a century, and the recommendations generated from previous vacationers means there's no shortage of new tourists who want to find out if it is as good as there friends and relations have told them it is.
Majorca was in the vanguard of tourism long before the age of jet travel and cheap flights, and over time has firmly established herself as the top vacation destination for tourists from the UK, Ireland and Germany, and there are a lot of airlines who include flights to the island from main and local airports across mainland Europe, the UK and Ireland, ensuring prices are cheap.
One of the enduring appeals of the island for British holidaymakers is that it takes less than two hours to fly to Palma - the capital - and it means families don't have the stress of babies and toddlers being on a flight for a long time - and the holiday can start on the same day as leaving home - which isn't possible with destinations that have come along recently as price becomes more of a priority and are more than capable of taking the number 1 spot in 2011 as it takes twice as long to get there compared to Majorca.
The upcoming destinations that are growing in popularity and appealing to holidaymakers are Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey.
Out of these four there most likely to take away Majorca's crown is Turkey, with flights now accessible from not just the big airports in many European cities such as London, Dublin and Berlin but in the UK from local airports like Southampton, making the Turkish holiday regions more accessible for potential visitors.
For Egypt, for those not cruising the Nile or sightseeing around the pyramids and instead opting for a sunshine holiday the most sought after destination by far is Sharm El Sheikh, while for Turkey it's Dalaman and Bodrum, but all four locations have appeal for price conscious British tourists as they are outside the Eurozone and Sterling buys high amounts of the local currencies - but Turkey is starting to cash in and put up the prices in here tourist areas, and more often is now only good value for those opting for all inclusive packages from the main tour operators.
Against this challenge, what can Majorca offer in 2011 that will see off the challenges from Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt and Turkey to keep its position as the top vacation destination for holidaymakers, and is the island really more expensive than her four main challengers? For a start the island has the capacity to offer any age or socio-economic group what they are hoping for.
From hotels targeted to the budget traveller to premium five star spa ones, the range of hotels in Majorca is extensive, with the top quality ones matching any in Europe with the exception perhaps of Monaco.
The big tour operators have annual contracts with some, and offer them with flights, individually, or as part of an inclusive Majorca holidays package that includes half or full board at many of the popular hotels.
There is also a mix of areas appropriate for different types of vacations.
Magalluf for instance is geared towards the 18-30 visitor who after parties, clubbing, getting up at 5pm before heading off to the clubs for another long night of fun.
Pollensa is a great area for families, with a mix of good hotels and self catering villas available from companies who specialise in villa vacations along with privately owned houses which are available to rent for a week or two - most will have their own swimming pool and some are within walking distance of local supermarkets and restaurants, dispensing the need to hire a car for those who would rather not drive abroad.
For couples or families looking for a peaceful upmarket district with a traditional feel there is Soller, well known for its harbour and train connection to the capital Palma, which travels through the island's countryside.
Excitingly cosmopolitan, both traditional and modern, Majorca seems to have it all - but what about the all important prices? According to a survey earlier this year by the UK's Post Office Travel Services Turkey has put up prices in tourist areas, while Majorca has cut hers, dispelling the myth that those wanting a good deal should choose one of the island's competitors for their 2011 holidays.
Perhaps the island can keep its top spot for one more year, and welcome more people than the rest in 2011.
There has always been a multitude of reasons that influence a holidaymakers' choice of destination, advice from friends and family, past visits, but top of the pile in today's economy for many families is cost.
Spain's Majorca comes out on top compared to other Mediterranean islands on two counts at least.
It's been welcoming tourists for over half a century, and the recommendations generated from previous vacationers means there's no shortage of new tourists who want to find out if it is as good as there friends and relations have told them it is.
Majorca was in the vanguard of tourism long before the age of jet travel and cheap flights, and over time has firmly established herself as the top vacation destination for tourists from the UK, Ireland and Germany, and there are a lot of airlines who include flights to the island from main and local airports across mainland Europe, the UK and Ireland, ensuring prices are cheap.
One of the enduring appeals of the island for British holidaymakers is that it takes less than two hours to fly to Palma - the capital - and it means families don't have the stress of babies and toddlers being on a flight for a long time - and the holiday can start on the same day as leaving home - which isn't possible with destinations that have come along recently as price becomes more of a priority and are more than capable of taking the number 1 spot in 2011 as it takes twice as long to get there compared to Majorca.
The upcoming destinations that are growing in popularity and appealing to holidaymakers are Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey.
Out of these four there most likely to take away Majorca's crown is Turkey, with flights now accessible from not just the big airports in many European cities such as London, Dublin and Berlin but in the UK from local airports like Southampton, making the Turkish holiday regions more accessible for potential visitors.
For Egypt, for those not cruising the Nile or sightseeing around the pyramids and instead opting for a sunshine holiday the most sought after destination by far is Sharm El Sheikh, while for Turkey it's Dalaman and Bodrum, but all four locations have appeal for price conscious British tourists as they are outside the Eurozone and Sterling buys high amounts of the local currencies - but Turkey is starting to cash in and put up the prices in here tourist areas, and more often is now only good value for those opting for all inclusive packages from the main tour operators.
Against this challenge, what can Majorca offer in 2011 that will see off the challenges from Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt and Turkey to keep its position as the top vacation destination for holidaymakers, and is the island really more expensive than her four main challengers? For a start the island has the capacity to offer any age or socio-economic group what they are hoping for.
From hotels targeted to the budget traveller to premium five star spa ones, the range of hotels in Majorca is extensive, with the top quality ones matching any in Europe with the exception perhaps of Monaco.
The big tour operators have annual contracts with some, and offer them with flights, individually, or as part of an inclusive Majorca holidays package that includes half or full board at many of the popular hotels.
There is also a mix of areas appropriate for different types of vacations.
Magalluf for instance is geared towards the 18-30 visitor who after parties, clubbing, getting up at 5pm before heading off to the clubs for another long night of fun.
Pollensa is a great area for families, with a mix of good hotels and self catering villas available from companies who specialise in villa vacations along with privately owned houses which are available to rent for a week or two - most will have their own swimming pool and some are within walking distance of local supermarkets and restaurants, dispensing the need to hire a car for those who would rather not drive abroad.
For couples or families looking for a peaceful upmarket district with a traditional feel there is Soller, well known for its harbour and train connection to the capital Palma, which travels through the island's countryside.
Excitingly cosmopolitan, both traditional and modern, Majorca seems to have it all - but what about the all important prices? According to a survey earlier this year by the UK's Post Office Travel Services Turkey has put up prices in tourist areas, while Majorca has cut hers, dispelling the myth that those wanting a good deal should choose one of the island's competitors for their 2011 holidays.
Perhaps the island can keep its top spot for one more year, and welcome more people than the rest in 2011.