Clever holidaymakers are increasingly making the great escape to more exotic locations because of the pound’s weak value against the euro. Figures ­released yesterday showed that bookings for traditional European hot spots such as Spain and Greece are dropping off rapidly. But destinations outside the euro zone such as Turkey and Egypt are growing in popularity as holidaymakers try to make their money go further.

According to The Daily Exdpress, the number of Britons heading to the traditional number one destination -Spain- plummeted by 15 per cent last month compared with the same period last year. The situation is even more dire in Greece, where visitors have dropped by 20 per cent. Worst hit ­areas are the Balearic Islands in Spain and Greek ­resorts in Corfu, Rhodes and Kos. In contrast, Turkey has seen a rush of British visitors -up 20 per cent in the past year- thanks to ­improved hotel standards and the strength of the pound against the Turkish lira. Yesterday £1 bought 2.27 Turkish lira. Tourists are being tempted there by the knowledge that the money they spend on eating out, travelling about and buying gifts will go much further.

Turkey has seen an additional 50,000 winter bookings this year, with industry analysts predicting soaring demand for 2009 breaks. Egypt is following hot on the heels of Turkey, with 10,000 more British holidaymakers heading to its Red Sea resorts now than the same time last year.

Yesterday the pound bought 7.3 Egyptian pounds while sterling had slumped to 1.06 against the euro and 1.48 against the dollar. Spain’s tourism ministry confirmed that British tourists were down by the largest number in years, with officials blaming the falling pound and recession. Spain would normally expect to see around 12 million British tourists every year according to the ­Office of National Statistics, 10 times the number who visit Turkey at 1.2million. Greece usually sees 2.5 million Britons a year while Egypt saw 510,000 in 2007. The latest figures seemed to confirm that many are continuing to splash out on holidays.

Travel agents’ group Abta said Christmas getaway numbers do not appear to have been affected by the economic downturn, with Egypt, the Caribbean, Dubai and Turkey among the top locations. “The most popular destinations at the moment are those outside Europe and those that don’t have the dollar,” said a spokesman. “It seems that Spain has dipped a bit but overall, and despite the ­economic doom and gloom, Britons are still going on holiday. The Christmas getaway has not really been affected at all so it will be interesting to see what 2009 brings.”

January, traditionally the most important time for travel companies, is expected to see a bonanza of deals to attract holidaymakers. “Because of the current economic situation there will be a huge concerted effort by travel companies to promote their holidays in January,” added the spokesman. “Because oil prices have fallen a long way in the last six months I ­expect there will be some great air fare reductions in the new year.  But you can never tell how long they are going to last. My advice would be to book early, even though it may seem strange to do so with so much financial uncertainty around, because you are likely to get the best deals.”

Travel company Thomas Cook said there has been a surge in bookings for all-inclusive holidays. “There is an increase in interest for all-inclusive holidays with food, drinks and some activities already paid for, making holiday budgeting much easier,” said a spokesman. “The value of the euro against the pound means that destinations such as Greece and Spain are seeing ­declining bookings. Spanish authorities are working hard to respond to a fall in bookings, but the Greeks are doing little to ­encourage British travellers despite a 20 per cent downturn. UK bookings to Turkey are up 20 per cent.”

But he said: “Holidaymakers are unlikely to find last-minute bargains. There are fewer holidays available in 2009 because operators have reduced the number on offer.”