Directline Holidays has seen a 27 percent increase in British travellers booking at least six months ahead.  The online travel expert attributes this shift in its customers’ booking behaviour to its recently-launched low part-deposit payment plan that allows holidaymakers to secure a summer holiday now from just £25 per person and spread the holiday cost over more paydays, paying the remainder of the deposit in March. Families in particular are taking advantage of the deal, with 15% more family bookings made this year than during the same period in 2011.

In the first weeks of January 2011, 29 percent of bookings were for holidays to be taken in the second half of that year. In the same period in 2012, 56 percent of custom proved to be for travel after 1 June. Family bookings – those including at least one child – have jumped by 15% compared to the first weeks of January last year.

Directline Holidays CEO, Maria Whiteman said: “Even when tightening their financial belts, Brits still want a holiday to look forward to. We’ve enabled them to secure summer sun for themselves and their families, confident they know their total holiday cost but without having to pay it all up front just after the Christmas high spend season. They’re choosing destinations such as Turkey and the Spanish coast that deliver great value and almost-guaranteed sunshine, proving that in tough times what people seek is sun, sea and sane prices.”

The top selling destinations for summer 2012 differ from those in 2011, with the Turkish resort of Dalaman knocking perennial favourite Palma from its customary top spot into second place. The Algarve retains third place, while the Greek island of Zante climbs into fourth place, followed by Bodrum in fifth. The Costa Brava and Costa Blanca – in sixth and seventh places – make an appearance in 2012, closely followed by Tunisia, Tenerife and Fuerteventura.

Directline Holidays continues to offer holidays after 1 June 2012 for just £25 per person part deposit payable now.