Budget holidays have kept people travelling this year, say On the Beach -

Leading UK online travel agency, On the Beach, report that affordable prices on budget holidays have led to an increase in outbound trips. Families seeking a break from the winter cold are eager to find good deals on flights and accommodation in warm countries despite global financial uncertainty.

Alistair Daly, Marketing Director at On the Beach, explained that despite numerous financial crises at home and abroad, international travel has continued to grow. “Many people are willing to cut back, but not to forgo their holidays altogether. Time spent with family is precious; it’s time to relax and rejuvenate ahead of the new year. We’ve put together some great cheap flights to the likes of Majorca, Portugal and Cyprus to ensure our customers get holidays that suit their budgets.”

Statistics from tourism consultancy, IPK International, report a strong recovery in 2011 and, forecast a year-on-year increase of up to five per cent in the volume of travel abroad. “Providing that over the coming weeks no serious political mistakes are made which might unsettle the public, in 2012 we can expect the international travel industry to grow in the order of two to three per cent around the world and thus in Europe as well,” said Rolf Freitag, CEO of IPK International.

Daly, from On the Beach, continued, “More and more travel companies are interested in providing value for money for people looking for a budget holiday during the festive season. We help our customers find fantastic deals that ensure they will be able to have a great holiday this winter, regardless of their budget.”