Holiday 'still an option for most'

The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) has stated that a recent poll uncovered that 80 per cent of respondents are still going to go abroad for a break in 2009.

In Abta's Holiday Survey it was understood that 83 per cent did not plan to make changes to their holiday plans regardless of the current economic climate, with another 39 per cent adding that they would not reduce any time away from the British Isles regardless of finances.

Furthermore, "46 per cent of respondents said that the destinations they plan to go to and the type of holiday they choose will be unaffected by the money markets," according to a statement by Abta.

In addition, 31 per cent of respondents said their last holiday abroad was 11 to 14 days.

Many holidaymakers were expected to have been put off more by the recent developments with XL's collapse, although many turned to ferries instead to get to and from Europe as they did during the closure of the Eurotunnel due to fire.