'Still an appetite' for holidays

UK consumers hit by the credit crunch are refusing to cut back on holidays and weekend breaks, a travel expert has claimed.

Kayte Williams, holidays channel manager at Travelsupermarket.com, said that there is "still an appetite" among travellers looking to book a trip away.

Research by TUI Travel suggests that the current financial gloom is refusing to put a dampener on the holiday plans of most consumers, with 87 per cent still intending to book an overseas holiday this summer.

Stag parties and leisure travellers have seen the cost of visiting traditional European destinations increase as a result of the unfavourable exchange rate.

However, Ms Williams claimed that people are still prepared to travel and suggested that now could be the ideal time to book.

"With all the incentives that are around at the moment there is no reason people won't go away on holiday," she commented.

Ms Williams pointed to the variety of money-off savings and low-booking deposits as particular attractions for holidaymakers who are still looking to get away.