Brits 'cut back on other things to ensure holidays'

Britons are much more likely to reduce their outgoings in other ways than cutting out their family holiday, it has been claimed.

Sean Tipton, spokesperson for the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), said that where a holiday abroad was once seen as a luxury, more and more people now view getting away as a necessity.

He cited the British weather and the credit crunch, as well as memories of past adverntures, as factors which may influence this.

"People are much more likely to cut back on other aspects of their life rather than forego a summer holiday - especially when we are in a situation which is potentially quite depressing. One way to escape the current economic gloom is to take a foreign holiday [and] go abroad," Mr Tipton commented.

New statistics from the World Tourism Organisation show that international tourism grew at around five per cent during the first four months of this year, despite the credit crunch.

The group said it is maintaining a cautiously positive forecast for the remainder of the year.

In related news, Abbey Credit Cards recently warned holidaymakers that paying for items in pounds when abroad could see them racking up extra charges, despite popular opinion that it will save people money.