'Obama effect' see Britons flocking to Washington


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The "Obama effect" has led to a big rise in the number of Britons booking trips to Washington DC, figures today showed.

Flights to the American capital, where Barack Obama was sworn in as US president last month, are up 68% according to online travel service Opodo.co.uk.

Capital gains: Flights to Washington DC are up 68%

Capital gains: Flights to Washington DC are up 68%

Washington is just one of a number of long-haul destinations which have seen large growth this year, with people prepared to travel far afield rather than take city breaks.

Melbourne bookings are up 400%, with Singapore rising 219% and Delhi up 165%.

Opodo UK country director Caroline Noble said the booking patterns indicated that holidaymakers were taking one longer holiday and fewer short breaks as the value of the pound made some city breaks less attractive options.

She went on: "Bookings to Africa, Asia and the South Pacific have dramatically increased for summer 2009 whereas European cities are struggling, with Paris, Athens and Florence all reporting negative growth year-on-year.

"We are also noticing that our customers are booking short-haul much later this year with the economic uncertainty, so we expect to see bookings increase as they book short holidays later in the year to complement the longer one they have already booked for further afield."

Barack Obama's inauguration in January proved to be a big draw

Barack Obama's inauguration in January proved to be a big draw

Top 10 destinations with the biggest growth this year are:

1. Melbourne - up 400%
2. Singapore up 219%
3. Delhi - up 165%
4. Brisbane up 115%
5. Orlando - up 90%
6. Sydney - up 81%
7. Washington - up 68%
8. Johannesburg - up 56%
9. Hong Kong up 43%
10.Kuala Lumpur - 41%

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