An event organising company has reported some of the most popular stag and hen party destinations in Europe are in the UK. The party city of Newcastle is Europe’s biggest stag and hen destination, according to figures from events company Last Night of Freedom (LNOF).
Stags and hens are also flocking North, with Liverpool, Edinburgh and Manchester all enjoying booking booms. It is thought British destinations feature heavily on the list due to the cost-of-living crisis and the war in Ukraine.
LNOF says their industry data shows Newcastle narrowly pipped Liverpool to be named the most popular pre-wedding destination. Figures hint at a north-south divide when it comes to picking the perfect place to party.
Managing director, Matt Mavir said: “Groups typically want a destination that’s either sunny, or somewhere with cracking nightlife. While the weather in the north isn’t usually warm, the people are - and they know how to party.
“That’s clearly a massive driving force behind so many people choosing to have their stag and hen weekends there.” LNOF say that overall, 2022 has been the busiest ever year for the stag and hen industry with unprecedented demand on the back of the pandemic.
It has been the first time since 2019 without any Covid restrictions. With long-delayed weddings finally taking place, it has meant groups have been heading off to celebrate their stag and hen do's, in record numbers.
However, according to Matt, they haven’t been flocking too far. “We’ve seen more demand for stay-at-home stag and hen trips this year than ever before,” said the businessman.
“There are various factors. Some people are still a bit nervous about going abroad due to Covid, while the cost-of-living crisis means people are looking at more budget-friendly alternatives.
“The war in Ukraine also impacted Eastern Europe hard at the start of the summer. But Britain has benefited from all of those factors.
“Groups seeking a bit of sunshine have shunned Spain in favour of Brighton or Bournemouth. Stags who may have visited Prague or Krakow a few years ago, are now choosing to play it safe and save a few quid by heading to Manchester or Liverpool instead.
“I believe customers are becoming increasingly conscious about the environment, so some may choose to stay in Britain rather than fly.” LNOF say those factors have sparked a British booking boom, with trips to some cities rising by over 100 per cent, compared to the pre-pandemic period.
In Liverpool, Europe’s second biggest destination, bookings soared by 76% compared to 2019, while trips to nearby Manchester rocketed by 61%. While trips to traditional hotspots like Budapest, Krakow and Tallin have dipped, Matt said there is evidence of green shoots emerging in Eastern Europe, with business picking up in the second half of 2022 as nerves over the war spreading eased.
With business once again on the up, the Gateshead firm donated thousands of pounds to help humanitarian charities deal with the fallout from the war. LNOF pledged a share of profits from bookings to the bloc to aid the region.
10 most visited stag and hen party destinations in Europe for 2022
- Newcastle
- Liverpool
- Dublin
- Edinburgh
- Bournemouth
- Manchester
- Prague
- Benidorm
- Brighton
- Budapest
