Holiday budgets slashed

Nearly a quarter of British holidaymakers will have to halve their travel budgets this year due to a fall in their disposable income, according to an online survey.

Many have already shunned the traditional post-Christmas offers available from the biggest tour operators, preferring instead to hold out for better last-minute deals.

Almost half of all holidaymakers who responded to the eDigitalResearch survey said they would look for the best holiday deals online, where they will also find cheaper travel insurance and other holiday extra such as car hire and airport parking.

This year, there is expected to be a 12 per cent rise in the number of people booking holidays on the internet, which is bad news for high street travel agents.

To encourage customers to book sooner rather than later, several of the largest travel firms have come up with some tempting offers.

This week Thomson Holidays, the biggest travel brand, is offering up to 25 per cent off summer holidays.

Thomson is also offering low deposits and free kids' places and a further 10 per cent discount for online bookings. Prices start at £154 per person, but this is based on four adults cramming into a one-bedroom apartments in Majorca in early May.

Perhaps one of the best offers around this week is the option to upgrade to full-board or all-inclusive for just 1p per night with Thomson. The offer is valid for a limited period at a selection on four- and five-star hotels in Cyprus and the Canary Islands for this winter and at a wider range of hotels in the Mediterranean during the spring and summer.

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