Brits do like their Summer beach holidays in the sun, and this is witnessed by Spain having regularly been the UK's favourite destination; as can be seen by this typically quiet beach scene, above.
Second on the list of favourite destinations is France.
Like Elephants, Brits have good memories, and I'm sure that many will not return to either Spain or France for quite some while. They will not forget the post-Brexit attitude of these countries towards Britain, and will probably prefer to spend their hard-earned holiday £'s in more friendly countries.
The UK used to send, on average, 18 Million tourists to Spain each year, and 12 Million to France; that's more than any other country, and it represented a lot of holiday dosh.
Croatia, Turkey, Morocco, Bulgaria, and Tunisia are all excellent alternative non-EU holiday destinations (and much cheaper), and, I hope, will benefit from certain nations antagonism towards Britain. Why visit a country where the President/Prime Minister spreads hatred about you, when you can easily go somewhere else where you're welcome? Even Saudi is tempting tourists away from mainland Europe. Pedro, and Emmanuel may come to regret their bad behaviour; especially now when tourist Euros would be extremely welcome.
For the moment both Spain and France are verboten as holiday destinations, and I suspect that Boris may keep it that way for a while (at least until the holiday season is over). My advice is to go somewhere a bit different for a change. You might even find a quiet beach.
Having undergone emergency surgery while holidaying in Barcelona in late 2019, I would only travel to countries that have decent health care. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteI have no experience of Spanish health care; just seeing the crowds of unruly Brits on the 'Costas' puts me off. The insults just adds to my preference for elsewhere.
Deleteles pays sans stuctures de soins correctes sont a eviter ,surtout a partir d un certain age,meme si les ressentiments envers les president francais sont importants.
Deleteet surtout,il faut savoir que tres peu de francais sont d accord avec la politique post brexit de macron:ici,en lorraine nous avons une tres grande sympapathie pour les anglais et leur cultureamities paule caillou
ReplyDeleteevidemment,en ce qui concerne le soleil....mais les forets sont belles
ReplyDeletePersonally I agree with you. The reasons why I came to live in France 47 years ago are evident from these pages. However, the current atmosphere in France is very antagonistic. Attacking fishing boats, threatening to cut electricity supplies, and just about everything that Macron says, makes people wary.
DeleteI never conflate government with the populace. The latter are 99% great people wherever one decides to go or as things are now wherever one is allowed to go.
ReplyDeleteI would like to say that I agree with you, but the populace is very split here. There are those who admire Britain, and there are those who Macron has taught to hate her. One can but hope that the numbers weigh higher on the former.
DeleteIt's fine here despite Wee Nippy inciting anti English sentiment on a daily basis. Last week I ventured into a chippy for a sausage supper and the common folk were friendly and maskless.
Deletela politique migratoire de la france est desastreuse:les banlieus des villes sont hors controle;comment peut on traiter d une facon identique cette population magrebine et africaine et des residents europeens,c est scandaleux. Maisle petit marquis poudre,comme l appellent les gens de droite ici,en paiera le prix
DeleteThose of us who warned about mass immigration, and the refusal to assimilate, were called 'racists'. Now we are told it's too late. France, Germany, Sweden, Britain, are all now suffering the same problems, and Europe has changed forever. If immigration had been better controlled, and the enclaves not allowed, all would have been fine.
DeleteI live in Spain on the coast. I find no evidence that people are put off coming on holiday by Brexit. On the contrary, most that I know personally are planning to come later this year if permitted to do so. I would be interested to know where you get the idea that people will not be returning to visit Spain for a good while. Btw when I last looked both Croatia and Bulgaria are in the EU.
ReplyDeleteSpain is on the UK's 'red list', as is France. I obviously haven't kept up with EU membership... but both Croatia and Bulgaria would make very good holiday destinations.
DeleteYou can always come here, to the beautiful beaches of Tel Aviv ....
ReplyDeleteI'm sure people will go there in great numbers, it looks a beautiful city. We'll just have to wait for Hamas to behave themselves.
DeleteI shall spend my holiday in the Yorkshire Dales - and after looking at your photograph of that 'quiet' beach I think my choice is wise.
ReplyDeleteI suppose some people like crowds.... Not for me, I'm afraid.
DeleteWhat is a "Brit"? Not a term I would ever use myself. In recent years my wife and I have had some wonderful holidays in The British Isles - Anglesey, Mersea Island, The Machars, Northumberland, Cornwall, Norfolk, Scottish Borders, Isle of Man. No hanging about in airports being treated like a criminal sardine. You just drive there at your leisure. No baggage allowance. No passport. And the weather has always been kind to us.
ReplyDeleteI think you're describing this year's favourite destination. It'll get the economy moving too.
DeleteI personally would love 2 weeks in Morocco.
ReplyDeleteWe have often taken 'Long Weekends' in Marrakech. Totally wonderful; I would recommend it to everyone.
DeleteHell, no. I managed to pick up a bacterial infection in Morocco. Wound up in a wonderful Spanish hospital for over a week on IV antibiotics. Lost 10 kilos.
DeleteThe lovely Spanish doctor explained that food handling in Morocco and the use of night soil as a fertilizer took me down.
Come on down to Greece. Come now though while the sun is still warm but not searing and the beaches are empty.
ReplyDeleteWonder what colour we are now. Green as far as the locals are concerned
Frankly, I think it might be preferable to keep people away for a while yet. The Indian variant is rampant at the moment in the UK, and today many restrictions are being lifted... I see another spike on the way.
DeleteWell, no one will be coming or going much from Canada this year as our borders are still closed (or there is limited access). Personally, I intend to spend my money here for the next couple of years to get our hospitality industry back on it's feet.
ReplyDeleteI know Canada doesn't mean a cheap holiday but people should know that our Summers are very hot - in fact this week we will average around 25C for daily highs with lots of sunshine. an Summer temps for July & August are often at 30C and above. I'm calling my air-conditioning guy today!