At this time of year, it's not uncommon for people to start looking for winter getaways to sunnier climes for a much-needed dose of Vitamin D. Interestingly though, some travellers are looking at staying closer to home this festive season.
Today, it's been revealed that Manchester is one of the top places for a Christmas getaway in the UK. Releasing its final instalment of its Travel Index for 2022, Tripadvisor has revealed a number of traveller insights including it's list of top 10 destinations for a break in the UK.
The top domestic destination was London, followed by Edinburgh, Blackpool and York - all cities with strong Christmas offerings including markets and light shows. Manchester ranked in sixth, tailing Liverpool in fifth position.
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Just last month, Manchester was named one of the best citie s in the in Conde Nast Traveller's annual Reader's Choice Award. It was praised for it vibrancy, as well as its "excellent chefs, music and culture".
More recently, Manchester Christmas Markets launched, with huge numbers of visitors packing into the city centre for the event's first weekend. As one of the biggest markets in the UK it attracts thousands of visitors each year.
The final instalment of the Tripadvisor Travel Index for 2022, based on traveller and consumer sentiment data, revealed that more than two thirds of people across the world are planning to travel this winter season and more than 80 percent of those are planning one to two trips.
Key to domestic travel this winter, the report also revealed that while UK travellers continue to prioritise spend on travel despite the mounting cost of living, 7 out of 10 now regard affordability as the most important factor when planning a trip. In addition, almost two thirds are planning on changing their travel behaviours as a result of rising living costs, and around a third are planning less time away and 31 percent will holiday closer to home.
According to the data, Brits are split down the middle when it comes to choosing warmer weather or trips closer to home, while a number of rural locations, including Tewitfield in Lancashire and Borrowdale and Gosforth in Cumbria are increasing in popularity with those looking for staycations in the UK.
Back in July, Manchester was ranked the 13th best city in the world by Time Out Magazine, and in September, the publication named a Manchester street as among the 'coolest in the world', alongside Miami Beach, Berlin and LA. The Cutting Room Square in Ancoats featured in a list of 21, which also boasted the likes of Auckland in New Zealand, Copenhagen in Denmark and Boston in the United States.
Ancoats made the cut thanks to its mix of culture, dining and "rich history" - while the large open-air dining space at the heart of the square was also praised by the guide. With travellers looking to visit Manchester this winter, there's a number of festive events taking place, from light show and markets, to festive-themed hospitality experiences, which goes some way in explaining the city's inclusion on the Tripadvisor list.
Read next:
- Christmas family-friendly events you can start booking now
- Festive karaoke huts will return to Manchester for 2022 at Bar Hutte
- Light trails taking place across Greater Manchester for Christmas 2022
- Eight of the best beauty advent calendars available for 2022
- Manchester's first new city centre park in a century has opened
