“We see that during the winter season, travelers usually split into two groups. Some want active holidays in the mountains and choose skiing, while others seek sun, warmth, and the opportunity to change their environment, even if only for a short time,” says Inga Aukštuolytė, Head of Public Relations and Marketing Department at “Tez Tour”.
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Skiing enthusiasts look to the Austrian mountains
According to the travel expert, travelers pay a lot of attention to quality and good skiing conditions.
“When planning winter holidays, people have become much more selective. If before they just wanted to go to the mountains, now travelers also evaluate the suitability of the resort, the quality of the slopes, and the variety of entertainment,” she says.
Austria continues to be one of the most desired destinations among Lithuanian skiers. Travelers often choose well-known regions such as Zell am See–Kaprun, Saalbach–Hinterglemm, Mayrhofen–Zillertal Arena–Hintertux glacier, Bad Kleinkirchheim, where you can find slopes of varying difficulty, modern infrastructure, and a wide selection of accommodation.
According to the expert, people are increasingly inclined to book winter holidays in advance not only for the price but also for a wider choice.
“The most popular hotels for families, the most comfortable room types, or accommodation near the ski slopes are booked first. Therefore, early planning allows both to save money and to plan a more convenient trip,” says I. Aukštuolytė.
Sun seekers choose the Canary Islands and Madeira
Meanwhile, for another part of Lithuanians, winter is primarily associated with the opportunity to escape the cold. Therefore, the Atlantic islands of Tenerife and Madeira remain among the most popular destinations. These destinations are valued for their mild climate and wide range of leisure opportunities.
“Not everyone seeks high temperatures in winter. For many, it’s important to simply change the environment, enjoy the sun, and spend time outdoors. For this reason, destinations like Tenerife or Madeira remain very attractive to families, couples, and older travelers,” says I. Aukštuolytė.
Tenerife is often chosen for the opportunity to combine relaxation on the beaches with active excursions around the volcanic island. Meanwhile, Madeira is valued as a destination suitable not only for relaxation but also for exploration – hiking, tourist routes, and getting to know the local culture, the expert explains.
Egypt: for relaxation and exploration
Another trend observed by tour operators is the growing interest in holidays where traditional beach relaxation can be combined with additional experiences.
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“We see that people no longer want to spend all their holidays only within the hotel grounds. More and more people want to get to know the country, its history, culture, and most important sites. Therefore, Egypt today is valued not only as a family holiday destination by the Red Sea,” the expert notes.
Observing the growing desire of travelers not only to relax but also to get to know the country better, the tour operator has been offering a Nile River cruise for several seasons now, which attracts great interest every year.
“This trip allows you to conveniently visit the most important historical sites of Egypt and combine relaxation with educational experiences. Travelers also actively choose excursions to Cairo, the Giza pyramids, and other famous places in the country,” I. Aukštuolytė presents.
The popularity of exotic destinations does not fade
Although the majority of Lithuanians choose Europe or nearby sunny countries, there is also an undiminished interest in more distant exotic destinations. Thailand and the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius are among the most desired winter destinations.
“Some travelers choose one longer winter trip instead of several weekly holidays per year. In such cases, exotic destinations are often considered, where one can enjoy summer weather, unique nature, and a completely different cultural experience,” I. Aukštuolytė points out.
She continues that exotic trips are usually planned well in advance: travelers want to combine the possibility of longer holidays and prepare for such a trip more calmly.
“We understand that plans can change, so we also offer flexible conditions to travelers – if necessary, the travel date, destination, or other reservation details can be changed free of charge,” adds I. Aukštuolytė.
When is the best time to plan winter holidays?
According to the travel expert, there is no universal answer, but one rule applies to all destinations – the earlier you start planning, the more choices travelers have.
“The winter season is characterized by very clear travel peaks – the Christmas and New Year period, school holidays, the long February weekend. Therefore, those who already know their holiday dates usually gain the most. They can choose from a wider range of hotels, flights, and room types,” emphasizes the travel expert.
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