The New Year is well and truly underway and with many Brits thinking about escaping to warmer climes to escape the winter blues, analysis from VoucherCodes.co.uk shows there has never been a better time to book a holiday.

According to the shopping website, the total number of discounted travel deals jumped by almost 200 per cent in the first two weeks of January compared to the same period in 2011, as providers battle to secure early bookings for 2012.

The number of retailers offering discounts has also rocketed, as more and more providers try to lure customers in with attractive deals. The total number offering sales and deals rose by 49 per cent in the first two weeks of January compared to the same period last year.

Duncan Jennings, co-founder of VoucherCodes.co.uk commented: “January is traditionally the best time to secure a great deal on a holiday, but this year seems to be even busier than usual as providers fight it out for consumers’ hard earned cash. The number of travel providers and the size of the discounts on offer are truly remarkable, meaning families could be saving hundreds of pounds on the price of their holiday if they book before the end of January.

“However, while the significant rise in discounts we’ve seen is great news for consumers, we know from experience these offers won’t be around for long, meaning savvy travellers need to act quickly. Last year we saw the number of travel deals drop off steeply in February, so anyone planning a getaway should get online now if they want to be sure of securing the best holiday deal. Booking a holiday can be an expensive business, but shoppers will be amazed at how much money they can save by simply taking a few minutes to ensure they’re getting the lowest price possible.”

Duncan Jennings’ top tips for saving money when booking a trip

1)  Save on the extras
It’s easy to forget the cost of holiday extras such as airport parking, insurance and car hire, but these all add up and can often cost almost as much as the trip itself. Because going on holiday is expensive, many people just turn a blind eye to the cost of these essential extras, but simply checking online for codes and offers can free up some serious spending money.

2)  Double discounting
January really is the perfect time to snag a bargain as many retailers offer extra discounts on top of existing sale products. A substantial number of travel companies give away an extra cash discount when booking to help drive customers to their sites.

3)  Keep an eye open for the best deals
When it comes to securing the biggest and best discounts, timing is everything. We tend to receive the most codes at the start of the month, when retailers’ new monthly marketing budgets restart. The best offers aren’t around for long and with February expected to be a quieter month for travel deals, now really is the best time to be hunting for bargains.