Directline Holidays reveals travel trade secrets about why consumers can save hundreds of pounds on holidays booked now.

1. Low cost airline flight sales – many airlines have recently released 2012 airfares so now is the optimum time to pick up the best priced flexible fares on popular routes. Directline Holidays combine these flights with exceptionally priced hotels to create the best low cost holiday packages available.

2. Strength of Russian currency against the Pound – a number of European holiday providers are selling primarily via Russian operators. The strength of their currency versus the currently weak Pound means they can command higher prices. As a result, British holiday companies will have less availability which will push prices up year on year for holiday makers so in order to avoid the halo affect of these rising prices holiday makers should book now.

3. Olympics is increasing overall cost of European holidays - hundreds of international visitors will flock to Britain next year to celebrate the Olympics. Many of these travellers will extend their trips to take a tour of Europe. As a result there is much higher demand on European flight routes than normal for this time of year and Directline Holidays expect to see popular routes on airlines fully booked with higher than normal prices.

4. Fuel prices and air passenger duty taxation – you can’t avoid the current media furore over the proposed increases in flight tax that may be levied from the 29 November. In order to avoid paying premium prices for rising fuel costs and air passenger duty, which operators and airlines will undoubtedly need to build in to their pricing structure, holiday makers should look to book now.

5. Secure next years holiday from as little as £80 – Directline Holidays is allowing passengers to pay much nearer to the point of departure than many other OTAs to enable customers to spread the cost. For example, for a seven night three star Algarve holiday, holidaymakers will pay as little as £80 deposit now, with the remaining £280 not due until June 2012. Directline Holidays are offering low deposits and long payment lead times to stimulate bookings.

Directline Holidays CEO, Maria Whiteman concludes: “There really is no better time to book a summer holiday for next year. Our advice is to book early to avoid disappointment and make use of this early booking window to spread holiday costs across the year and make them more affordable.”