A recent study has revealed that Wakefield is the area of the UK most eager for a Greek holiday, topping the list of Greek-related searches. The study, conducted by Thames Acropolis Tickets & Tours, analysed Google search data to find out which areas of the country were most interested in Greek getaways.
Using search terms like ‘Santorini flights’ and ‘Athens holidays,’ the study examined the average number of Greek holiday-related Google searches each month. The data was then compared against the population of each area to determine which regions had the highest interest in a Greek escape.
Wakefield came out on top, with 1,929.79 Greek-related searches per 100,000 residents each month. The most popular destinations for residents of the West Yorkshire city were Santorini, Crete, and Corfu, with Santorini attracting 231.16 searches per 100k residents.
Hove, in East Sussex, followed closely in second place, with 1,881.24 searches per 100k residents. Interestingly, Hove was one of the few areas in the UK where Athens, rather than Santorini, topped the list, recording 197.21 searches. Corfu and Crete were the other two most popular destinations.
Chelmsford took third place, recording 1,743.78 monthly searches per 100k of its population. Like Wakefield, Santorini was its most searched-for destination, followed by Crete and Corfu.
The first non-English city to feature in the top 10 was Swansea, which came in fourth with 1,636.93 searches per 100k residents. Santorini, Corfu, and Crete also topped the list of preferred Greek locations for residents of the Welsh city, with a notable addition of Kos as a fourth preference, one of only two UK areas to include the island in its top picks.
Preston rounded out the top five with 1,632.09 searches per 100k residents, showing a clear preference for Santorini, Corfu, and Rhodes. The study noted that Preston was one of only eight areas in the UK where Rhodes featured in the top three destinations.
Further down the list, Cheltenham secured sixth place with 1,614.34 searches, followed by Rochdale in seventh, recording 1,605.10 searches. Worcester, Mansfield, and Chesterfield completed the top 10, with Worcester logging 1,483.90 searches per 100k residents.
The research also highlighted the overall popularity of Greek destinations for Brits. Santorini emerged as the most in-demand location, with an average of 40,093 searches per month across the UK. Athens came in second with 33,108 monthly searches, followed by Corfu, which received 31,039 searches.
Magdalena Petrusic, a travel expert from Thames Acropolis Tickets & Tours, commented on the findings, saying:
“With its selection of picture-perfect beaches, incredible history, long sunshine hours, and rich culture, Greece has cemented itself as one of the leaders in popular holiday destinations. Santorini has long proven its attraction to tourists, and it’s no surprise to see it dominating UK searches. Its charm and beauty continue to draw international visitors seeking an idyllic island escape.”
This study underscores the enduring appeal of Greece as a top holiday destination for British travellers.