After the holiday season fades away and with the rainy January setting in, many people in the UK are already looking ahead to their summer vacations. Brits have a strong affinity for package holidays, with data from ABTA showing that 62% of last year’s overseas travelers opted for this convenient travel option. Package holidays bundle flights and accommodations with additional services like coach travel, car rentals, and dining packages.
The surge in package holidays aligns with the increasing popularity of international destinations. While one might think the trend began with trips to sunny places like Costa Blanca or the chic south of France, the roots of package holidays trace back to a more humble origin. The first package holiday, dating back to 1841, was organized by Thomas Cook, a Baptist preacher. He chartered a train for fellow temperance movement members to attend a rally in Loughborough, offering a simple journey with a cup of tea and a ham sandwich for just a shilling.
Although modest at the beginning, the success of this trip led to the establishment of Thomas Cook & Son, a pioneering name in package holidays for many years. Thomas Cook’s innovative approach of leveraging railway discounts for bulk bookings made holiday planning easier for the public. Expanding his offerings across the Midlands and eventually venturing overseas to European destinations like Belgium, Germany, and France, Thomas Cook built a reputation for providing well-organized tours.
As his European excursions gained popularity, Thomas Cook introduced a more ambitious 222-day tour in 1872 covering the USA, Japan, China, India, and Egypt for 200 guineas. Additionally, he introduced circular notes, which later became traveler’s cheques, facilitating spending abroad. By 1888, Thomas Cook & Sons had a global presence with offices worldwide, catering to over three million travelers annually by 1890.
Previously considered a luxury for the wealthy, travel became more accessible to the middle classes due to Cook’s initiatives. Destinations like France, Germany, and Switzerland were favored, offering cultural excursions and outdoor activities as part of the holiday packages.
In 1949, the concept of modern package holidays took off with Vladimir Raitz founding Horizon Holidays after introducing affordable two-week trips to Corsica for £35 per person. This marked the beginning of a trend in sun-drenched getaways for British travelers. Subsequently, in 1957, British European Airways capitalized on the growing holiday trend by offering flights to Valencia, popularly known as the Costa Blanca.
The evolution of package holidays continued with developments like the General Plan in Benidorm in 1956, transforming the fishing village into a tourist hotspot. The first all-inclusive resort was launched in Majorca in 1950 by Club Med, offering communal dining experiences that set the stage for modern all-inclusive vacations.
Through the 1960s, improved flight accessibility and higher wages led to a surge in Brits traveling abroad, exploring destinations like Spain, Greece, and Italy. Today, package holidays remain a popular choice for Brits seeking a week or two under the sun, with classic destinations like Costa Blanca and Majorca still drawing crowds. Despite the wide array of travel options available online, package holidays endure as a favored way to unwind with some sunshine and relaxation.
