City events are the new black

Britons are looking for more new reasons to travel with local events and festivals proving particularly popular attractions according to latest booking figures by leading online travel and leisure retailer lastminute.com.

Upcoming events such as Oktoberfest in Munich and the New York Marathon are sparking a considerable rise in sales with a 100% increase in bookings year on year. Meanwhile the Rugby World Cup created a frenzy to go to Paris for the semi-final with an 81% increase week on week in searches for departures on the day of the big game. lastminute.com has also seen a strong increase in searches for travel to the final of the Rugby World Cup being held on 20 October.

International events such as the Cannes Film Festival in May, Rome’s White Night and Milan’s Fashion Week also attracted huge crowds this year with an average increase in bookings of over 100% year on year for each.

John Bevan, Managing Director at lastminute.com UK commented: “Our UK customers are becoming more and more savvy and demanding when they are taking a short break. Britons travel extensively and events are great excuses to either go back and spend time in places they have been to before or discover new destinations. Holidays are more than ever about the experience and have to offer something extra.”