The number of people planning to book holidays between Christmas and the end of February is 50% higher than during the same period in 2009/10, a survey has revealed.

According to the poll of 1,036 people commissioned by Sainsbury’s Travel Insurance, 35% of Britons intend to book a break over the next nine weeks, but the amount people are planning to spend on winter getaways has fallen.

Those intending to go on holiday in the next couple of months plan to spend an average of £826 – which represents a 1% fall on last year and 6% down on two years ago.

Around 45% of the early bookers intend to travel to Europe, with 29% booking UK breaks and 6% planning trips to the USA. Many of these holidaymakers will fly from airports in the South East, such as  Luton, Gatwick and Stansted.

Meanwhile, the poll also found that 18% of those planning to book holidays over the next few weeks do not intend to buy travel insurance.

Londoners are the keenest to book a holiday in the new year, with 41% planning trips, while 39% of those living in East Anglia and south-east England also intend to make a booking.

Sainsbury’s Travel Insurance manager Scott Gorman said: “A lot of people will be fed up with the winter snow and travel delays or cancellations they have had to endure in 2010, particularly over Christmas.

“This may lead to a significant increase in people intending to book a holiday to give them something to look forward to in the new year.”

Copyright Press Association 2011

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