With the current economic crisis and talks of a recession just around the corner, holidaymakers are planning well in advance with forward bookings for summer 2009 up an incredible 60% year on year.

Furthermore, of those bookings already made, more than 90% of customers are choosing to pay off their holiday in instalments.

On the Beach offers its customers the opportunity to pay off their holiday in instalments providing the departure date is more than 12 weeks, when the remaining amount must be paid.

In previous years, customers have paid the initial deposit before paying off the final balance in full 12 weeks before departure. However, this year customers are using the online facility similar to a savings plan and are paying smaller amounts every month until the holiday is paid off in full.

On average, On the Beach customers are choosing to deposit £75 every month.

Most popular destinations so far include the non Euro destinations Egypt and Turkey, whilst the Balearics, Cyprus and Malta are proving particularly popular for summer 2009.

Simon Cooper, Chief Executive at On the Beach said, “It’s encouraging to see that whilst consumers are not willing to give up on their summer holidays, they are planning well in advance for 2009 holidays and keeping a close eye on their finances. There is no fixed instalment plan, so by using the facility similar to a savings account, consumers can pay off their holidays as and when they can afford it.”