The second wet summer in a row is encouraging more and more British holidaymakers to shrug off financial worries and take holidays in far-flung sunny hotspots. Sales of holidays in the Caribbean, Turkey, Dubai and other destinations traditionally thought of as luxury holiday destinations are proving more popular than ever this year says holidays-direct.co.uk.

As falling house prices and rising fuel costs begin to bite, British holidaymakers are making sure they get a holiday to remember this year. An analysis of holiday bookings made through online travel agency holidays-direct.co.uk reveals an increase in the number of people booking holidays in destinations more traditionally associated with the luxury end of the market.

This is in contrast to an overall caution by holidaymakers and strongly suggests that if people are investing in a holiday, they are making sure it is a memorable one.

The poor weather in Britain has certainly been a good thing for the travel industry as thousands each week jet off to the sun.

This summer has seen higher than average sales for holidays in the Caribbean, Dubai, Thailand and Tunisia.

Holidays in Spain and Egypt are once again the top selling summer holiday destinations.

Jon Pearce of www.holidays-direct.co.uk explains how their holiday sales patterns have differed from last year: “Each year the number of people booking their summer holidays two months or more ahead of the departure date has grown. Following this trend we’ve seen an uptake in bookings for holidays in the Caribbean and Thailand, along with other long haul destinations.”

“This suggests to us that a lot more people are planning ahead and saving up for their holidays somewhere special.”

“With the lousy weather here, people cannot consider getting away from the sun – despite the cost. We all need cheering up, so a holiday is a luxury that has become a necessity for many!”