We can see why so many people would like to visit
New York has been named the favourite destination for UK travellers in the first six months of the year despite rising hotel prices.
The 6 per cent rise followed strong demand from domestic travellers and a surge of overseas visitors cashing in on the appreciation of their currencies against the US Dollar.
According to the latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index, the Big Apple was one of six US cities in the top 20 list with Las Vega, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orlando and Miami also featuring as the pound held its own.
Paris was the second-most popular overseas destination and top European city for UK travellers. Other traditional European city-break favourites also featured prominently with Rome, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Berlin all in the top 10. Dublin was the sixth most popular, in part boosted by a heightened profile from the visits of the Queen and Barack Obama in May.
Alison Couper, Global Communications Director of Hotels.com, said: “The British love affair with New York continues to go from strength to strength despite the fact that it is a very expensive city for hotel accommodation. There is so much to see and dothere and its appeal shows no sign of abating.
“The city has seen the largest increase in capacity in the US this year, especially at the upper end of the market, but, despite the rise in room supply, prices have still gone up because of robust demand from both American and overseas visitors.
“American cities generally have been big draws for foreign travelers cashing in on the relative strength of their currencies against the Dollar.”
Other popular locations included Dubai, still a popular long weekend destination, and the Far East cities of Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore. However, Tokyo, which was 32nd on the list last year, fell out of the top 50 following the Japanese earthquake and its aftermath.