US still top holiday destination choice

Miami beach is maintaining its popularity

A new survey suggests that the United States is still the top choice for holidaymakers despite the terror attacks and uncertainty.

Country choice by region

London: US (13%)

South East: Australia (12%)

South West: Australia (10%)

Wales: US (18%)

East Anglia: Australia (19%)

West Midlands: Australia (15%)

East Midlands: US (13%)

North West: US (12%)

Yorkshire: Australia (14%)

Scotland: US (17%)

More than one in 10 people cited the US as their top destination for a holiday.

Confidence was highest among experienced business travellers, with more than one in five executives saying that they would go on holiday there.

Men were also more likely to cite it as their top holiday destination - 14% of men said that they wanted to go there than anywhere else compared to only 9% of women.

The survey - Top choice holiday destinations - questioned 2,000 people between 3 and 7 October where they would most like to go on holiday.

Married people were more concerned about travelling to the US compared to single people.

Long-haul not a problem

But the prospect of long-haul flights is not affecting where people would most like to travel.

Australia, which takes a whole day's journey from the UK, was the second most popular choice.

There is also more upbeat news for the tourism industry closer to home, which has already been devastated from foot-and-mouth disease and is now facing even more challenges, according to the survey by Marks & Spencer Financial Services.

UK picture

The British Tourist Authority has estimated that the UK could lose £2.5bn in revenue from overseas visitors next year, because the market is particularly sensitive to the whims of American tourists.

Chose US as top destination by age

16-24: 12%

25-34: 14%

35-44: 13%

45-54: 13%

55+: 9%

According to the survey, however, the UK is the fourth most popular place for UK tourists, behind the US, Australia and Spain.

UK citizens made a record 53.9 million trips overseas last year - up three million on the year before, although this figure could fall because of international events.

The most popular destination for short breaks and business trips was France with 11.9 million visits, while Spain was the most popular holiday spot, accounting for one quarter of total visits.