Holidaymakers 'downgrade but don't give up'

Despite predictions of economic doom and gloom this year, holidaymakers are not giving up on their break in the sunshine, it has emerged.

According to a spokesperson for the Air Transport Users Council (ATUC), many tour companies are still reporting good numbers of bookings, even in the midst of the credit crunch.

ATUC industry affairs manager James Fremantle said that people are still taking their holidays, but are economising in other ways.

"Tour operators are actually reporting pretty good numbers, so it looks as if people are just downgrading their holidays. They are still going away, but downgrading from certain holidays to cheaper package holidays," he commented.

Earlier this month, research from the Association of British Travel Agents showed that average summer holiday bookings are up on last year.

The country with the highest increase in bookings was Egypt, along with Turkey and the US, reported TravelMole.

However, Spain remained the number one destination for Brits heading abroad this year.

ATUC is the UK's consumer council for air travellers. It receives its funding from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), as an Auxiliary Group within the CAA corporate structure.