'Ferry travel's popularity up as Brits budget'

The popularity of ferry travel is set to continue to rise as Brits seek out budget holiday options, one expert has said.

According to the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA), people are now taking fewer holidays due to the credit crunch and when they are going away they are staying closer to home.

William Gibbons, director of the PSA, said: "If you are taking your family then we think travelling by ferry is incredibly good value, especially if you are prepared to travel outside the more busy times."

He added that more people are now travelling to destinations served by ferry routes, such as France and Spain, for their main summer holiday.

A survey carried out by the Port of Dover last month found that 90 per cent of holidaymakers who passed through its gates rated luggage handling easier when travelling by ferry, compared with flying.

Furthermore, 90 per cent rated security checks easier at seaports, nearly 80 per cent found a ferry port more flexible than an airport, and 70 per cent said sea travel is cheaper.